Resignations often catch managers off-guard — especially when they involve one of the company’s best employees. But if supervisors pay attention to the warning signs, they might have a chance to turn things around.
Here are the behaviors that could indicate a top performer has one foot out the door:
- Change in attitude — For example, a top team player might withdraw and stop helping others.
- Sloppiness — Formerly top-notch employees will make more errors when they know they’re leaving.
- Solitude — The employee might start to distance himself from others, for example, by eating lunch alone.
- More absences — Workers headed for the door will take “sick days” to attend interviews.
- Formal attire — Employees will also use lunch to go to interviews, which normally will require them to dress nicer than usual.
- Increased Web use — Departing workers are less inclined to do actual work, and they’ll spend a lot of time on online job boards.