A Guide to Job Resignations

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At some point in our lives, many of us will have to resign from a job. It can be a difficult decision, especially if we have spent several years in the same position and have established relationships with our colleagues. Unfortunately, some employers and coworkers may feel personally affected by our decision and accuse us of leaving them in a lurch.

Nonetheless, by managing your resignation with professionalism and care, just as you would approach your job search, you can make the process less challenging and maintain positive relationships.

Keep Resignations Simple, Short and Positive!

Ensure that you depart from your employer on a positive note. Don’t let your resignation be a cause for sadness. Remember, you are embarking on a new opportunity, and you should express gratitude to your employer for helping you get there. Don’t forget to thank your colleagues as well for their contributions to your growth and development.

If you have given your all to your job, your departure will be felt by those who relied on you. Let them know that you are willing to assist in any way possible. By demonstrating respect to your boss and company, you lay the groundwork for future support if and when you need it. When resigning, keep your discussions brief and to the point. The less you say, the fewer questions you will have to answer. Avoid going into too much detail about your new opportunity with your former employer, as this could create additional work for others.

It’s likely that your boss will be taken aback by your resignation, making it difficult for them to listen attentively to your reasons for leaving. Your boss may also express negative views about your new company or position, given that your departure means the loss of a valuable employee and potentially more work for them. This could leave you feeling confused and pressured to justify your personal choices and goals, or even bear the brunt of others’ emotional reactions.

In cases where you’re dealing with unpredictable or vengeful personalities, it may be best to refrain from divulging where you’ll be going.

If you anticipate encountering a hostile environment, it’s recommended that you resign towards the end of the workday, so you’re no longer on company time and have more control over your schedule. Plan to have any discussions about your resignation the following morning, giving everyone time to process and reflect on the news. If you feel compelled to defend yourself during this initial meeting or sense that things may spiral out of control, request to reschedule the meeting for a more suitable time.

Practise Makes Perfect

Prepare for your resignation by rehearsing what you plan to say, so that you can deliver it confidently and without hesitation. Stay resolute in your decision to leave by reminding yourself of the reasons why you made this choice and what the new job can offer you. Keep in mind that your boss may immediately make a counteroffer or try to persuade you to stay. Rehearsing can help you stay focused and decline any counteroffers gracefully, without succumbing to feelings of guilt.

Consider The Timing of Your Employment Resignation

Choose the timing of your resignation carefully. It is advisable to resign towards the end of the workday, preferably on a Monday or Tuesday. Doing so at 5:00 p.m. provides an advantage in that you can have your resignation meeting and then distance yourself from any potential awkwardness by leaving the office. Resigning in the morning means having to face your boss and colleagues for the rest of the day, while resigning later allows for a cooling-off period overnight. In addition, it provides ample time for final preparations, in case your boss decides to ask you to leave immediately despite giving proper notice.

Resigning on a Monday or Tuesday is advantageous for your boss, as it allows them to approach the new week with a clear head and use the entire week to start planning for the transition. On the other hand, resigning on a Friday may dampen their spirits over the weekend.

Verbal Resignations

Resigning verbally may put you in an uncomfortable position of having to justify your decision on the spot. The words you choose can have a powerful impact on your organization, so it’s important to select them carefully. Your boss may want to explore the reasons behind your decision, including asking for specifics on who or what prompted you to leave, and even seeking suggestions on how to improve the organization. If you have a close relationship with your boss, you may feel obligated to answer candidly.

Avoid falling into this trap! Keep personal and emotional matters separate from work-related discussions. Keep in mind that your interviewer is still your boss, and anything you say could be seen as biased since you’ve already decided to leave the organization. Your words could potentially be used against you in the future. Once you’ve resigned, you may no longer be seen as a team player or someone who has the company’s best interests in mind.

Resist Being too Honest

Resigning employees often regret their comments when they are misinterpreted or exaggerated in retelling. It’s not your responsibility to offer constructive criticism anymore, and doing so could cost you a good reference. Instead, express sincere appreciation for the firm and your colleagues.

Prepare in advance by thinking of several positive aspects of your workplace and mention them when appropriate. Even if your favorite aspects were small things like great lunches or humorous stories shared over coffee, it’s better to focus on these than on disappointments or shortcomings. You want to be seen as a positive and forward-thinking person. Your last impression is what people will remember, so make it your best performance.

Written Resignations (Recommended)

Composing a written resignation allows you to prepare and deliver your message effectively, while maintaining control over its content. This approach avoids the possibility of being caught off-guard by unexpected comments that can arise in face-to-face conversations. Additionally, a written resignation serves as evidence of your departure, signaling your firm commitment to leaving the company without any intention of negotiating your position. Furthermore, the permanence of written communication may deter any potential interrogation from your employer.

However, it is crucial to refrain from expressing any negative opinions about the firm or individuals in the resignation letter. Not only is it considered good etiquette to emphasize the positive aspects of your experience, but also any negative comments could become a permanent record in your personnel file, which could potentially harm your professional reputation in the future, especially if you happen to cross paths with former colleagues.

Resignation Notice Periods

As you consider resigning from your current job, it’s important to keep in mind the required notice period, which can range from one to four weeks depending on your length of employment (as specified in Section 37(1)(c) of the BCEA). If your employer agrees, it’s possible to be paid in lieu of notice so you don’t have to work the full period. Keep in mind that if you do give notice and your employer doesn’t waive it, your contract will end on the last day of the notice period.

On the other hand, if any part of the notice is waived, your contract will end when you leave work. It’s important to always give proper notice, as failing to do so creates a breach of contract, but rest assured that your resignation is still valid. In such a case, your employer can choose to either waive the notice period or hold you to it. Just remember, if you don’t work out the full notice required, your employer may have the right to claim damages.

Conclusion and Summary

• Resigning from a job can be difficult, but managing the resignation with professionalism and care can maintain positive relationships
• Resignations should be simple, short, and positive, expressing gratitude to employers and colleagues for their contributions to your growth and development
• Keep discussions brief and avoid going into too much detail about your new opportunity with your former employer
• Resign towards the end of the workday, preferably on a Monday or Tuesday, to allow for a cooling-off period and final preparations in case you’re asked to leave immediately
• Rehearse what you plan to say and stay resolute in your decision to leave to decline any counteroffers gracefully
• Avoid falling into the trap of justifying your decision on the spot and mixing personal and emotional matters with work-related discussions
• Resist being too honest in expressing any disappointments or shortcomings and instead, focus on positive aspects of the workplace
• Written resignations are recommended, allowing you to prepare and deliver your message effectively and maintain control over its content
• It’s best to refrain from divulging where you’ll be going when dealing with unpredictable or vengeful personalities
• If you anticipate encountering a hostile environment, request to reschedule the meeting for a more suitable time
• Giving adequate notice can help ensure a smooth transition for both the employer and the employee, and failing to provide sufficient notice can have negative consequences, such as burning bridges and potentially harming future job prospects