Work relationships are complex things. These are the people we share our workspace (and work stress) with, and with whom we often spend more hours a day than our families.
Together we ride the emotional rollercoaster of good times and bad, late nights and deadlines, of triumphs and disasters. They are our sounding board, brainstorming partner, the people we can rely on to keep going even when we know they are exhausted. Yet, when they announce their departure to pastures new, we are expected to sign a card, eat some cake and send them off with a cheery wave.
Well, I am not OK with that.
After seven amazing years working with someone — who has nurtured, mentored and guided me, made me laugh (too many times to count) and cry (once), and hands down been the best boss anyone could ask for, she is leaving.
Over the years we have spent together, she has supported and schooled me, shared her knowledge and her belly laughs and been an absolute joy to work with. There have been hugs, the odd shouting match, and more adoration and respect than I ever thought possible. Simply put, I am devastated that she leaving.
The flip side is, of course, I am delighted for the future that awaits her — she has bagged a dream job at which she will excel, and I cannot wait to see her soar. But I cannot help feeling like Oliver Hardy without Stan Laurel, the brains and talent of the operation is leaving and I feel a bit hollow inside.
As happy as I am for her, all I want to do is cling to her ankles and beg her not to go. And here’s the rub. Outwardly mourning the departure of a colleague is not really acceptable. Rather than crying, we have to content ourselves with a staid hug, a slice of stale cake and then hurry back to our desks.
If a romantic relationship broke up after this long — and let’s face it, at seven years, this has outlasted many marriages — it would be OK for me to sob into my laptop, and walk about with puffy red eyes.
For the loss of a departing workmate however, no such grace is granted. Despite this person having held an important and significant role in, and shared countless hours of, our lives, any outpouring of sadness is seen as, well, a bit weird.
Thankfully, the world of journalism carries an old school tradition to mark the departure of a beloved and respected workmate. Despite being an industry built on words, as he or she departs the newsroom for the final time, in a wordless ritual, everyone bangs on desks and stamps on the floor, creating a din loud enough to carry the departee out of the room. Raw, visceral and spontaneous, it is an outpouring of grief and respect in one noisy, celebratory cacophony.
So as I face this huge shift in my working life, I am left with how to process it. We have shared long hours and high stress together, and built a rock-solid team. While I can only hope I have held up my side of the bargain, she has been my guiding star, much-loved boss and friend. How do I say goodbye to this, and how do I mourn ourt time together ending?
So, to the colleague who is leaving, here is my love letter, my thank you for everything.
It has been a joy and an honour working with you, and these seven years have been an absolute blast. Through the long days, the jet lag and the brutal deadlines, you have conducted yourself with grace, elegance and above all humour. I have loved the laughter and the ideas, and have been so proud to work alongside you and wish you a gilded future, as you show others what I have known all along — that you are a rare and remarkable woman.
Your final day will break my heart, but through my happiness for your future and my own tears, I for one, will be banging on the desk for all I am worth.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
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Gothia Cup 2025
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What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
