Resigning

People choose to resign from their positions for a number of reasons which can have both positive and negative connotations. Some people feel that they have been unfairly treated in the workplace or are the victims of bullying while others are simply looking for a change in their career, more money or better chances of promotion. Whatever your reasons for resigning, there are right and wrong ways to approach it, and it is important for your future career that you handle the situation as professionally as possible.

Put it in writing

The first and most important step in the resignation process is to produce a formal letter informing your employer of your decision – bear in mind that this letter will remain on your personnel file for the remainder of your working life so it should be carefully worded. Ideally, the letter should be brief and to the point with just your name and address and the date from which your resignation will apply. It is advisable to check your contract to make sure that you are giving your employer sufficient notice, particularly if you have already secured another position and promised your new employer that you can start on a particular date.

Despite the extensive use of email for correspondence purposes, it is still more acceptable to put your resignation in writing the old-fashioned way! However, if you do decide to email the letter instead, remember that this will be taken just as seriously as it would if it were printed on paper so the choice of wording is equally as important. Also, be just as careful what you say because, with one slip of the mouse, the email could be sent to someone other than the person you intended to send it to!

Avoid making it personal

Some people may use their resignation letter to express their feelings about the company or particular individuals; this is really to be avoided at all costs. Although you may intend simply to alert your employer to the cause of your discontent, you are in danger of saying things that you may in the future come to regret. The decision to leave your job may have generated some strong feelings but it is advisable to keep these to yourself until you are in a better frame of mind to discuss them rationally. At this stage, just keep your letter clear, concise and professional.

The exit interview

Exit interviews are common practice now and are seen as the opportunity for your employer to identify the reasons behind your decision. Sometimes, they may be able to change your terms and conditions of employment which could lead to you reconsidering your resignation. For example, they may offer you promotion or an improved remuneration and benefits package which could make the position seem more attractive than it did before. However, you should always keep in mind all the reasons that made you want to hand in your notice; although the offer of more money and better prospects could be tempting, if it does not make the working environment itself any better, you may ultimately still be unhappy in your job. On the other hand, the counter-offer made by your employer may be just what you were looking for and may help you to avoid the inevitable upheaval involved in changing your job. Therefore, all offers made should be carefully considered.

If your reasons for resignation are specifically related to other members of staff, it is not advisable to launch into personal attacks at the exit interview. Even if your employer specifically asks you, you are under no obligation to supply information relating to your colleagues if this makes you feel uncomfortable.

Know your rights

Your contract should provide you with all the information you need to find out how much notice you are required to give and what your final salary entitlement should be. By remaining professional throughout the resignation process, you will find yourself in a much stronger position to negotiate if any disputes arise regarding your final settlement.

Don’t burn your bridges

Try to keep your relationship with your employer as positive and professional as possible. This will not only benefit you in terms of the reference they provide for you but may also improve your chances of re-employment should your career path bring you back to them at some point in the future. In addition, you may come into contact with your former colleagues in a future business setting so it is important that you maintain good relationships with them as well.

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