How To Resign From Your Employment

Have you found a new job? Do you believe it’s time to move on from your current employer? Whatever your reason for wanting to leave your job, you might be wondering how to go about the process. You might feel awkward about handing in your resignation or don’t know when and how to bring it up with your manager. Should you tell your employer in a face to face conversation or write a letter instead? Resolve Legal is here to explain how to go about resigning from your position.

Whatever reason you have for leaving your job, be it because you have found a new position or simply feel stagnant in your current one and want to move on, there are a few things that you need to do to resign in the right way. Doing it in the right way is important because it can increase your professional credibility and provide you with relationships that can help you grow in the future. If you leave an organisation on the right terms, you will be able to get great references and recommendations from your past employer.

So how do I go about resigning?

Before you accept a new job or make the decision that you would like to quit your current one, you should take a look at your employment contract. Make sure you have checked all legal requirements and obligations that you have, and talk to your employment lawyer if you are unsure about a specific part.

Your employment contract includes the notice period that you must give your employer, which is usually between 2 and 4 weeks. It may also include who to give your resignation to and the format in which it needs to be sent. If your employment agreement states that you need to give written notice, your employer cannot accept a verbal notice and a formal letter needs to be written. The best way to go about it is to tell your manager in person first through a conversation or by handing them your written letter face to face.

How to word your resignation?

Knowing what to say in your resignation and how to say it can be challenging. There are multiple templates online that you can use as a starting point. These offer you the basic format to follow, which then you can fill out with more personal information, such as why you are resigning and how your time at the organisation has been. Make sure your letter is formal and straight to the point. Include your employer’s name, your signature, and your final date at the organisation. It is also a good idea to thank your manager for the opportunities you have had at the business.

Remember that you will have to keep working during your notice period, so try and write the letter in a straightforward but nice way; otherwise, your last few weeks might not be that enjoyable.

Get in touch with Resolve Legal if you have any questions about leaving your job

If you are having trouble understanding your resignation clause in your employment agreement or would like some help with wording your resignation, the friendly Resolve Legal team can help. There might be other complications that could be leading to your resignation, such as discrimination, bullying, harassment and other employee relations issues. We can look at other avenues, such as raising a personal grievance, if you would like. Resolve Legal will be there to support you every step of the way in your resignation!