I left my previous job two years ago this week. I’d been there a long time, and loved it, but I was insultingly underpaid and treated badly by management, as are all employees there.
When I left, I had four people reporting directly to me, all of whom I’d hired, trained, etc. They were flatteringly distraught to see me go. I encouraged all of them not to fall prey to Stockholm Syndrome, and to start planning their own escapes. One – the last of them to be hired – did resign (to go freelance) four or six months later; the other three are still there. I hear from all three of them from time to time: sometimes they’re just saying hi, and sometimes they’re asking if I’ll serve as a reference (I always say yes).
I got emails from all three of them today, in the space of about two and a half hours. Two are looking at library school, the third has a lead on a non-editing job.
