When an employee leaves, a backfill plan gives the remaining team a clear approach for replacing the role or covering its responsibilities. It also helps preserve trust during attrition. section 8.4.3
A practical backfill plan should help a manager:
- Explain what can be shared about the departure and the plan for replacing or covering the role. section 8.4.3
- Maintain trust with the remaining team through direct communication and one-on-ones with concerned teammates. section 8.4.3
- Connect the transition with employees’ goals and responsibilities where possible. section 8.4.3
A departure conversation
After an employee resigns, the manager explains the backfill approach, shares appropriate context, checks in privately with worried teammates, and clarifies how responsibilities will be handled during the transition. section 8.4.3
Figure 8.3 A sample offboarding checklist to use for a seamless transition when an employee departs the team
Use the offboarding checklist to organize a seamless transition when an employee departs. section 8.4.3
