Resigning respectfully
Having accepted your new position, if you are in employment you will now have to let your current employer know. In order to leave on a good footing and to avoid burning bridges behind you it is important to resign professionally. That starts with taking the correct approach, and moves right through to your actions when working out your notice.
Taking the correct approach to resigning
- Check your contract of employment/company handbook
This will state the amount of notice period that you need to give to your employer, and may also give guidance on the correct company accepted. Following this means you have no comeback from your employer on your actions taken before or during your notice period. Make sure you’re aware of the length of the notice period you are required to work. If you don’t have a formal period of notice in your contract, try to allow at least two weeks for the handover period as a sign of good will.
- Tell the right people first
Tempting as it may be to tell close colleagues first, especially if you have built up strong working relationships with them, it is vital that your immediate manager and, if applicable the HR or Personnel contact, hears about your resignation first. A manager who hears of an employee leaving through the grapevine could quite rightly feel aggrieved, and you may find that you are in breach of your employment contract if you leak that you are leaving unofficially.
- Write a formal resignation letter
This will lay out your intention to leave for the records, so keep it short, polite and positive, expressing your regret at leaving the company but excitement at a new challenge. State your desired leaving date, and ask for next steps from your manager and HR (if applicable). Hand this to your manager/HR in a face-to-face resignation meeting, which shows you are happy to spend time with them explaining your reason to leave
- Face to face - explain your decision positively
Avoid blaming your employer for your decision to leave, even if circumstances at your current employer were a factor in your decision to go. Instead explain that you have been made an offer which is a great next step in your career, an opportunity which you couldn’t turn down and thank them for their support in your time at the company.
- Handle disappointed managers with care
In most cases, unless you’ve made your intentions obvious (and most people don’t), your decision is likely to come as a surprise or shock. You may find your manager reacts in a confrontational or defensive manner on first hearing the news. If you suspect this might happen you might wish to invite a contact from HR to the meeting. You can seek to placate your boss by stating that you are leaving due to a mass of opportunity elsewhere and that you are keen to ensure that you don’t leave the team in trouble or shorthanded by tying up loose ends and handing over well.
- Be prepared for a counter offer
If you have firmly decided to go you could pre-empt a counter offer by saying that this is a decision that you have made with lots of thought and you have weighed up the professional role-related pros and cons of the positions. State you don’t wish to have a counter offer made instead you wish to leave amicably.
If you are given a counter offer, be seen to consider it and don’t dismiss it offhand. Ask for an time (maybe an hour/day) to consider and then give your answer.
- Stick to the party line with colleagues
Remember to keep to your stated reasons for leaving when discussing it with your team and colleagues, so conflicting stories don’t get back to your boss via water-cooler gossip. If you have negative reasons for leaving you can keep them for close friends and family who you trust not to gossip.
- Work your notice well
Hand over key tasks with care and treat your boss and fellow employees well during your notice period. Make sure that you can walk out of the door with a clean conscience and without. It is a nice touch to comply with office/workplace traditions when leaving such as inviting staff out for leaving lunch/drinks/bringing in cakes to say thanks to all who have worked with you for the past period.
Lastly the Golden Rule:
Always leave on an up-beat note, remember you may come across your colleagues at an industry event, at a future employer or even as a future client and you want them to remember you favourably and speak of you favourably to others.