Sometimes when valued employees submit their resignation, it may seem like it came out of nowhere. You had no clue it was coming, and it stuns you. How could you have missed the signs? Could you have done anything about it?

If he needed more of a challenge, you could have offered it. If she needed a higher pay, then maybe you could have somehow sweetened the deal. If it had been a troublesome co-worker, then maybe you could have intervened. If you had only known what precipitated searching elsewhere for job satisfaction before it resulted in a no-return resignation.

But like a marriage in trouble, there are always signs. Here are some of the most obvious:

1. A change in attitude: Usually full of pep and enthusiasm, she is lately apathetic or listless, shows little interest in current work issues or proposed solutions.

2. A change in behavior: Always one to initiate suggestions or volunteer for a project, now he’s making excuses why he can’t get involved in a project; his customer service is less forthcoming and genuine, and it’s more of an effort to rouse himself to do anything greater than the bare minimum.

3. De-vesting: Figuratively or literally, she is removing herself from her co-workers, from the business at hand, from the activities of the workplace; by shutting down emotionally, this employee is blunting the emotional effects of dissolving this relationship and investing more heavily in the professional relationship to come. Also, she might be suddenly cleaning her desk and giving away knick-knacks or tools on the pretense of doing necessary spring cleaning.

4. Covert or suspicious actions, such as closing his computer abruptly when you or co-workers draw near, stilted phone conversations that consist of ambiguous one-liners and quickly ending those conversations when you approach; this suggests he is talking with recruiters or submitting online resumes.

5. Atypically asking for time off: Various relatives suddenly become ill and need her assistance, or she suddenly has her own numerous health issues that necessitate frequent trips to a doctor or dentist. In actuality, she can be going for job interviews or using up her reserve of paid sick time or vacation leave

6. Changing lunch habits: Formerly a steadfast breakroom luncher, now he claims he is going home for lunch despite the long commute would consume most of his lunch hour; this could signal he is attending job interviews during the workday.

Now, if you see these employee changes and realize what it portends, it could be good news if it’s an employee that you don’t value anyway. Get ready to pull out your “applicants wanted” sign and start interviewing for his replacement.

But if it’s an employee you would hate to lose, then you have some advance notice. Initiate an honest conversation to root out the cause of her dissatisfaction and seek to remedy it if possible.

If you’re fortunate, you’ll be able to repair your professional relationship and possibly even strengthen it. But if the dissatisfaction has become so entrenched that there’s no salvaging your work relationship, then at least you made an effort, and you can both guiltlessly go your separate paths.