Frankly, advice from the perspective of "I don't give a crap" will probably be the best"
Here it is:
My counterpart in the office is retiring after 35 years with our organization. I knew this man before I came to work here as he was a customer when I working the financial industry. We've always had a passing acquaintance and in the past few years we've worked in the same program area, and for three years I've done the same job as he (is expected to).
The unfortunate part is, G checked out probably 5 years ago or more. He still came to work pretty much every day and managed to do the least amount of work possible in that time. No one took him to task, and the longer he was left to do as he pleased, the less he did and the more he disengaged.
His employees have been the most impacted by this, and have mostly learned to manage themselves. When I became aware that he was no longer sending them the information they needed to keep them current on procedures and policies, I began sending it to them when I sent it to my team. I held joint meetings when I felt something was particularly important so they didn't get left behind.
So here's my dilemma. His retirement event is being held early in January and the entire office has been invited. As he is part of my work group, I should probably attend. BUT I don't want to! I've lost all respect for this man in the last couple of years especially. I've never directly worked for him or even gone for coffee with him. I am actually thrilled that he's finally retiring...it should have happened years ago!
So do I do the decent thing and go for a little while or do I do the decent thing and not go (it's being held in a bar, there will be liquor involved, I might just say something I shouldn't). The invite came with RSVP so I'm going to have to respond one or the other before the end of next week.
What do you think? What would you do?
4 comments:
My $0.02?
Suck it up, paste a "sincere" smile on your face, go and wish him well. And stick to club soda or a soft drink. :-)
I have to admit someone at work left for another job recently and as we never really got on, I didn't make the effort to go to her leaving do and don't regret it one bit. But I did have to lie and give a plausible excuse! But rather that than pretend we had some sort of meaningful bond. I can't do the pretend bit! LOL!
Take care
x
Have a prior engagement.
If it isn't too late for advice, I'd suggest going but saying as soon as you get there that you can stay only a few minutes. Meet the man, wish him luck and, if you want to stay, stay, but if you don't you will have a reason for leaving. You don't need to respect someone to wish him luck, and you'll ahve put in your appearance.
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