At Premier Placements, we’re always scanning the industry for smart, people-first perspectives that raise the bar in multifamily staffing. Recently, Jen Piccotti, President at Swift Bunny, published an outstanding article, The Fond Farewell, and it struck a chord with us.
Jen makes a compelling case: while our industry does a fantastic job celebrating “The Warm Welcome” with branded mugs, t-shirts, and first-day excitement, we often fail at offering the same energy when employees transition out. Her article shines a spotlight on what many companies overlook — the importance of creating a positive, respectful offboarding experience.
And she’s right. In staffing, especially in multifamily, a thoughtful “fond farewell” is not just kind; it’s a strategic advantage.
Why Jen’s Message Resonates with Us
Jen outlines four key benefits of a fond farewell: improved reputation, knowledge transfer, reduced team stress, and more referrals or “boomerangs” (former employees returning). Each of these points connects directly with what we see daily in our work.
Reputation travels fast. We staff leasing, maintenance, and grounds roles across Georgia, and candidates often come to us based on word-of-mouth. A company known for treating employees well — from onboarding to offboarding — consistently attracts stronger talent.
Knowledge transfer is gold. When temporary staff members complete their assignments, they often carry valuable insights about a community’s operations. A respectful send-off makes it far more likely they’ll leave behind documentation or coach incoming staff.
Stress reduction matters. Turnover is inevitable. But when leaders model gratitude and professionalism during transitions, it reassures the team that they’re supported, not abandoned.
Referrals and rehires are real. We’ve placed candidates who later returned as clients, and vice versa. The bridge stays open only if both sides part ways respectfully.
Our Perspective: Why This Matters in Apartment Staffing
At Premier Placements, we talk daily with property management leaders who worry about staffing gaps. It’s easy to focus only on the hiring side of the equation — filling open roles fast. But retention and reputation are just as critical.
When a community mishandles a departure, it doesn’t just impact one employee; it ripples through the entire team. Residents pick up on it, coworkers feel the tension, and leadership ends up scrambling to fill morale gaps on top of staffing ones.
The flip side? When a community celebrates an employee’s next chapter, even if they’re leaving, it shows the entire team that people truly matter. That’s the kind of culture people want to join — and stay in.
Practical Ways We See This in Action
Building on Jen’s excellent suggestions, here are a few takeaways we’ve seen work for apartment communities:
Make gratitude visible. A simple acknowledgment at a team meeting, a card signed by the staff, or even a resident “thank you” board can turn a goodbye into a celebration.
Encourage mentorship. Pair the departing employee with a teammate to ensure knowledge is passed on. It’s not just practical; it strengthens bonds.
Keep the door open. Many of our temp-to-hire candidates circle back to us months or years later. When communities leave the light on, those boomerang employees are more likely to return.
Wrapping Up
Jen Piccotti’s article, The Fond Farewell, is a must-read for anyone serious about employee experience in multifamily housing. At Premier Placements, we couldn’t agree more: extending the same warmth at the end of an employee’s journey as we do at the start isn’t just good manners — it’s good business.
Here’s to making farewells as meaningful as welcomes.