Re: Retirement Send Off

ahoymate · ‎05-30-2010

ChrystalTree:

"I think it depends on the culture of the company and the size of the company. Generally, the big sends offs are reserved for people with many years of service, as in more than 20".

Yes, and fewer & fewer people work at one company more than 5 years. This send off for Jill is "a time gone by" for most.

ScarletDove · ‎07-11-2010

No....worked at HHS 35 yrs, retired at age 71. In the Institute where I worked at NIH, when you were approaching retirement, if you were productive, you got more work assignments because they needed your expertise before you were gone; worked long hours last couple years prior to retirement. During the last 3 months, I had to train the "2" people who were taking over my job. Received some cards and gifts; last day packed up my stuff and walked out the door. My reward was what I financially accumulated for my retirement years.

Shogirl · ‎12-06-2010

Let me start by saying my large utility company (covers 11 states) only allows $200 for a retirement party... 'nuff said about that!

What a timely post as I'm retiring effective the end of the month after 44 years of service. Yesterday I had a retirement luncheon at a really upscale restaurant. I had 20 of my closest coworkers and husband attend. My boss spoke some really kind words about me and told a couple of anecdotes. They gave me $150 gift card and a beautifully framed photo of our building then and now, which includes a plaque with my name and 44 years of service on it. (Our office building is a beautiful historic building that used to be a high school.) I love it! Today, everyone is talking about what a great time they had, the food was excellent and the service impeccable.

Back in the day, I remember how retirement parties used to be - grand affairs that lasted all afternoon, floral arrangements and corsages, large cakes and snacks, beautifully arranged tables and decorations, serving ladies, etc. and the whole building attended. Those have become a thing of the past and no one seems to really make a big deal anymore.

It was my choice to do the luncheon instead of the usual come and go party in a meeting room at work. I don't think I could've made a better decision for how I wanted to say goodbye - it was simply wonderful in every way!

I'm sorry, @srgtdj, that your experience was less than satisfactory.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@srgtdj wrote:
Watching Jill's celebration last night made me wonder about the kind of retirement send off most people experience. After 15 years with my company when I retired it was basically a non event. A few people I was close to did lunch/dinner with me but there was no company acknowledgement at all. My experience was about as different from Jill's as you could get. Looking back on it I realize that it did leave me feeling unappreciated. But I chalked it up to the way the business world works now..they move on, your spot is filled, and with the excpetion of a few friends you are easily forgotten. I never wanted a big party..but a thank you would have been so nice. Oh well. I don't think about it at all but the Jill show brought that feeling to the surface I guess.

Is my experience unique? Did those who have retired get a send off of some kind?

@srgtdj My husband who worked for three companies once he graduated from college over the course of his career as an engineer had seen many changes in corporate culture.

He got ill in his late 50s and had to take a year off of work. Once he was well enough to return he came back to a new company since it was bought out. After working there for a year he was laid off due to his disability and age. Of course he wasn't told this...Instead he was told that they had no more money for the projects he was working on...I think he was getting too expensive for them. They escorted him out with two security guards...something that happens to a lot of employees when they are laid off.

This was his thank you after working in his field after 37 years. His friends had a nice luncheon for him but it had nothing to do with the company. Consider yourself lucky.

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

I worked in a federal hospital. Even though at one point we had 1000 employees we were a big happy family. Except for people working night shift, most people knew one another in some form. Our farewell and retirement celebrations for long tenured employees were wonderful. There were off site dinners planned, or a hospital wide open house. Even at Christmas most departments would do open houses.

Once we merged with another local federal facility, for the most part that disappeared. It was sad watching the decline.

Our original hospital has since been closed by the Feds, but an annual reunion is still held and is very well attended by former existing employees and retirees.

Suzeecat · ‎05-05-2010

I am a legal secretary at a large midwest law firm that has been in existence well over one hundred years. I've been there for over 30 years and have seen lots of HUGE changes over the years. To the extent the retiree wishes, the firm will host an in-house reception with soft drinks and snacks, and the honoree receives a gift from the firm, I would say in the $300 range (just a guess from what I've seen). Many people choose to leave quietly and forego the reception and just have private dinners out of the office with a small group of close co-workers. One attorney hosted a lavish dinner at a posh local restaurant for his secretary who worked for him for many years, that was very nice but came out of his pocket.

Caaareful Shopper · ‎10-09-2012

@QP Doll wrote:
What a wonderful celebration show! I found it odd that Jane Brown & Pat did not have a farewell message to Jill like all the other hosts.

@QP Doll @Mom2Dogs Both Jayne and Pat had their own best wishes videos for Jill. I saw them multiple times on earlier days leading up to her last show. It's up to the producers to pick the ones they wanted to actually put in the very last show. There were many left out, but were shown earlier. In addition, hosts left posts and videos on their and QVC's FB and IG pages, that didn't make it to the last show.

DecorDiva · ‎03-02-2014

I retired from the federal government (civilian at a Marine Corps installaton)after 36 years of service. Management leaves it up to the individual as to what they want to do. I didn't want a large luncheon so we had a small ceremony where we were presented with a flag and signed certificates from the base commander the Commandant of the Marine Corps. My immediate employees and I went out to lunch and they gave me gifts. Very low key which is what I wanted.

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

@ScarletDove

HHS for 35 years is an accomplishment for sure!

While my experience wasn't exactly like yours, I worked for the Federal government in several agencies for almost 38 years. My last stop was Office of Personnel Management.

The day I left I packed what few things I wanted from my office (mostly my running clothes), said goodbye to one or two people and walked out of the building.

Some folks left with great fanfare and parties (of their choosing), but it was not my way. I just wanted to slip out of the building unnoticed.

It worked!

GRACIE · ‎04-14-2010

I retired last year after 34 years in county government. Usually they send out invitations a few months before you retire. I informed my boss ,I did not want a retirement party,so they had a outdoor BBQ with homemade food on my job and people I had work with attended.I got several gifts and a couple hundred dollars.

I have a stand-off personality, and while in a large company I preferred dealing with people I had personally been in contact with.Friends and friends

that had retired attended along with my family.

Besides,most of the people we're new,while they knew about me(I was known mostly for being fair,but outspoken)

I had received several awards and acknowledgements, that was good enough for me. Retirement is beautiful 😏😏😏😏😏😏😉