Left Behind: What To Do When Everyone's Quitting but You

As the Great Resignation—this mass departure of people from their jobs—continues to hold the spotlight, you might be asking yourself: What happens to me if I don't quit?

 

I’ve had countless conversations recently with people who are suddenly feeling lonely, uncertain, and overwhelmed as they watch colleagues depart. They’re questioning their own decision to stay. They’re missing colleagues and friends as they go. And they’re afraid of being overwhelmed by the work that’s falling off those departing plates.

 

So, if you’re one of the many being left behind, let’s talk about how you can take care of yourself and use this moment to your strategic advantage.

Give space to your feelings

I started my last full-time Human Resources job at the beginning of 2008…with a financial services company…as the market was crashing and burning. 

 

Suffice it to say, by the end of my first year, 15% of my colleagues had been let go. And while layoffs are very different in nature from voluntary resignations, the experience for those left behind can be extremely similar. 

 

The sudden loneliness—the loss of trusted friends, mentors, thought partners, and collaborators—really changed the whole tone and climate of work. Things got a little mopey around the office. But we were indeed in an office. So, for those of us left behind, leaning on each other as a community and processing our feelings together was reasonably easy to do.

 

Today’s world is different. So many of us continue to work largely or exclusively virtually, which makes those natural points of human connection rarer. You need to find the moments for yourself.

 

What are you feeling as you watch colleagues leave? Lonely? Anxious? Self-doubting? The key is to share those feelings with someone or ones that you trust. Check in with a remaining colleague, share your experience, and ask how they’re doing. Find support in those who are hanging back with you. And know that whatever you’re feeling is totally valid.

Be the stability hero

The thing about people leaving is that while the number of people doing the work has changed, often the expectations and workload for the remaining team members have not.

 

If your boss is anything like mine was, they’re panicking. They’re watching institutional knowledge, experience, and sets of hands walk out the door. And with all of the balls in the air, they’re terrified one will drop.

 

This is your moment to step in and be a hero. How can you show up as a point of stability...

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