Where most resignations are precipitated by a formal farewell, one law firm in Malaysia has shown how a little more consideration in approach can produce a very different result. Far from losing a valuable member of her team, she was able to turn a difficult moment into an example of supportive leadership that instantly went viral.
A story shared on social media
The Independent Singapore reports that Ainie Haziqah, managing partner of Nurainie Haziqah & Co., shared the story on Threads. Her candid post, written in a combination of Malay and English, impressed users online.
The employee wanted to quit due to the need to care for children
Haziqah said in her post that a lawyer at her firm came to her to resign because she needed to take care of her child and was unable to handle the demanding schedule of her current job. Haziqah described the lawyer as someone she liked personally, admired professionally and found “very teachable”.
A flexible solution instead of resignation
Instead of immediately accepting her resignation, Haziqah took time to consider whether an alternative arrangement would work. After some consideration, she designed a flexible plan that would accommodate both the lawyer’s family needs and her corporate responsibilities.
The solution allowed him to work full-time from home, come to the office only for monthly meetings, and continue handling court cases as usual.
“After a few weeks she said yes. And Alhamdulillah, the arrangement continued for about 4-5 months if I’m not mistaken. We worked together so naturally that it felt like the best way,” the post read.
Haziqah added: “I also offered her a small pay rise at full WFH with self-development training.” Warm online response Social media users praised Haziqah for showing empathy and flexibility. Many commented that they wished more workplaces had this understanding, while others called it a strong example of modern leadership.
One user said: “You are not a boss but a leader who listens, understands and supports.” Another user added: “Thank you for not only being a boss, but also a leader who listens and understands and supports women’s careers. Another user added: “To be understood in this way is a privilege.” A rare gesture from employers A number of commenters noted how rarely employers reconsider a resignation rather than simply accepting it. Many said this story could mean that thoughtful leadership can make a difference.
