After four years of working as a customer service associate in the same company, Cathy thought she had had enough. She was discouraged by her unsupportive manager and the lack of growth in her career. Last June, when an outside job opportunity with a higher package came up, she announced her decision to quit.
But despite her ill feelings about her boss, she handled her resignation in a positive and professional manner. Burning bridges or making enemies was the last thing she had wanted, so she made sure her employer got a 30-day notice and she kept her resignation letter brief, devoid of any resentment and recrimination.
When she met with her manager to discuss her departure, she was very polite and professional. "I never discussed the disappointments I harboured and avoided going into the details." From the time she officially resigned until her last day, Cathy tried to finish everything that was expected of her, making sure her resignation would not negatively impact the section she worked for. As a customer service associate, Cathy dealt with some important clients and although they no longer concerned her as she was leaving, she informed each of them about her resignation and referred them to her colleagues. "It was just unethical to abandon them so I made sure they were guided accordingly," she said.
On her last day, Cathy sent out an email to say goodbye to all her colleagues and thank them for the opportunity to work with them. Recognising the value of networking, she included her contact details at the bottom of her message and later arranged to have dinner with her former officemates.
"Looking back, I can proudly say it was a graceful exit," she says.
Many reasons for leaving
People leave their jobs for many reasons. They may have had a rough time and want to try something new, look to move on in their career or expand their experience. Others quit because they feel they have been unappreciated. No matter what the reasons are for your leaving, it is important that you observe the correct resignation etiquette because how you resign can reflect badly on you and impact your future employment.
Reena Pinto left her HR specialist job last October in pursuit of "better learning opportunities and career development". When she came to the decision to quit, she did not surprise her boss with a resignation letter. Instead, she broke the news verbally first.
"I told him I have been looking for a challenging role and that I had brought this up several times. Finally, something suitable has come through my way."
Her manager turned out to be supportive and he understood that she did deserve a good break. "However, he counselled me as a friend to see if this was a hasty decision and if I had done enough checks about the new employer."
"Finally, after a mutual agreement, the resignation was accepted and my manager promised me full support in the exit. The resignation letter was only to formalise what we discussed so it was merely stating the fact that I am leaving without reiterating the reasons for leaving," the expatriate from India said.
Pinto's resignation is one that hiring experts would view as an ethical approach. Andrew McNeilis, managing director of Talent2, says that supervisors dislike surprises, so when it's time to leave your current employer, ensure that you don't put them in a spot.
"The best way is to tell your boss that you intend to resign verbally and book a formal meeting to discuss it. Have your official resignation to hand when you resign verbally and hand the letter over when you meet or afterwards," McNeilis advises. Toby Simpson, managing director of The Gulf Recruitment Group, warns that if put in a spot, your manager could react inappropriately — as any human could.
However, before you finally decide to make the jump, it is important to consider whether you are leaving for the right reasons. Simpson observes that many resignations are made when an employee is experiencing an emotional low. So, consider talking to people around you for guidance first.
"For example, we may be focusing on one change that has angered us or a poor relationship with a co-worker. It is really important to take a step back outside of the work environment and really consider the big picture, where you are, where you want to be and how to get there."
