April 21, 2016

How To Quit Your Job Without Attracting Malice

​Quitting, huh? Is the new position so great that you would be a fool not to accept it? Would you consider staying IF your current employer ‘matched’ your new Offer? Is this place so terrible that you must leave to protect your sanity? Please take stock of your true reasons. Okay…time for your ‘two-week notice.’ No, unless under contract, no longer than two weeks no matter your perceived value!
 
1. You must prepare an email to your immediate supervisor. Subject: Notice of Resignation. The message: I wish to inform you that I will be departing XYZ company with my final day on (a day two weeks, or so from today <less than that is unprofessional, at best>).
 
Were it not for the training and support that I’ve received here, this new position would not have been possible, so I wish to thank you and all of those with whom I’ve worked. I hope that our paths cross again in the future.
 
…all the best!
 
-Name

1. PRINT THE EMAIL – DO NOT CLICK ‘SEND!’ Hand deliver it to your supervisor. You cannot believe the conversations that happen and the number of times an employer, that really loves your work, will make a counter-offer to implore you to stay (and THAT assumes you would consider it)! Be crystal-clear about the new terms and dates – in writing is best.

2. If the ‘Notice of Resignation’ is accepted. Go back to your desk and click “Send.” If you are management-level, or above, ‘cc’ the VP of Human Resources. There is a possibility that the employer may pay you the two weeks’ notice and dismiss you at that moment fearing other employees talking to you about great opportunities elsewhere, potential ‘bad-mouthing’ the organization, etc. If you accepted your supervisor’s offer, delete the ‘draft’ email immediately!

3. If you know that, no matter any counter-offer, you are departing, slowly remove personal items from the office/cubical over the days and weeks prior to giving notice, if possible, so that you can place the remains in a small box/bag and depart quickly when that day arrives.

4. Never burn bridges! Even if the departure was caused by things that really ticked you off, you gain nothing by exposing them and their culture and management style is not likely to change anyway. You may find one, or more of these people with future employers and you want their remembrance of you to be positive. Be professional!

5. Clear out your personal emails including Deleted files. Yes, they’re hidden in the bowels of the server, but don’t make them obvious to the next user.

6. Even if you had a ‘non-compete’ clause in your Offer of Employment, stay away from current customers, prospects, and other employees for a while. That is an opening for a law suit and you don’t need that.
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7. You have moved on, or perhaps stayed. No more conversation about that pending departure – it is history! “If you love your work, it’s not work!” – George Burns