How to handle resignation

[SavannahKT]

Hi All,
First things first...Happy New Year!

I want to quit my current job at the end of March. As per my contract, I only owe 1 month notice, but since my position involves a number of responsibilities and abroad travelling, I would like to give my director a little more time. I have a great respect for the company I currently work for, and I would like to minimise the impact of my resignation (e.g., I could train new staff before I leave). Plus, there are business trips planned, but if I’ll no longer be with the company, I would like to give them the chance to decide to save that money or to send somebody else.
I have my appraisal scheduled in a few days, and I was wondering if that might be a good time to bring this up.
I want March to be my last month there, therefore I would be giving around 2 months and a half notice.
Could this potentially backfire? I know that nobody will be expecting my resignation, and that I will disappoint a number of people, including my director, who could take the news very badly. Could I be asked to leave immediately/earlier?

Would you do this at all, or would you act as normal, and then stick to the 1 month notice?

Thanks a lot

[TheThingWithFeathers]

I would just give a month's notice. It's nice of you to consider how it would impact on others, but that's not really your problem, especially if they are not going to take it well.

[hauntedvagina]

I would give one months notice too. If your employer was that bothered about the impact your resignation would have on future meetings and travel plans, you'd have a longer notice period.

[Hollachica]

I would give longer if you could.
Have you been offered another job?
I would say that you have been offered another job without actually giving your notice. and that you can be flexible with your start date.
They may offer you a counter offer.
They can't ask you to leave until you give your resignation in.

[filka]

Agree with PPs, give one month. And yes it could backfire - if employer also has one month notice to get rid of you, they could just do that immediately, then you are out of work for 1 1/2 months.

Don't forget to take your vacation in your notice period, or get paid for it at the end. Perhaps you could book your vacation for March now, which will perhaps discourage your employer from booking business trips in this period.

[SavannahKT]

Thanks a lot for all tour replies.

Wow, you definitely opened my eyes!

I really thought that giving more notice would have been the best way to go, as I wanted to be as transparent and helpful as possible. It will be awkward to discuss future plans and business trips, with me just pretending that everything will be carrying on as usual.
But I totally see your point.

@Hollachica I am not leaving because I have been offered another job. I am moving abroad, hence Unfortunately I can’t be flexible with dates, and there’s no counteroffer that could make me stay.

@filka I have one business trip already planned, and this is why I would have loved to take this off my chest before that: once I’ll hand in my resignation, I’m sure I will be told that I could have brought it up earlier. TBH, now that I think about it, I should resign right before the trip to be able to give 1 month notice. Ouch :(

[SavannahKT]

Hi,
Just a thought: would it still be risky if I tell my manager “unofficially“ that I will be leaving at the end of March, without handing in a proper resignation?

I know it sounds super silly, but the idea of pretending all is normal, planning the future, discussing pdp, knowing it’s all a lie, makes me feel really bad.

[filka]

You should consider any work-related conversation with your manager to be official and it could still trigger premature giving of notice by the company. So I wouldn't give any unofficial indication.

I'm not sure why you are hung up about business trips. They are not jollies and I imagine that your employer would get some benefit from you having represented your company before a client, made a sales pitch or whatever, even if it were during your notice period.

The only thing that might be a bit underhand would be to go on a big training course in the run-up to giving notice, as that's an overhead for the company for which they will get no benefit in the future, but you would take away the knowledge.

[Chottie]

OP - please put yourself first and do what suits you. Your company will definitely do just what suits them. Believe me, I have been there.......

[HollowTalk]

How long have you worked there? If it's over two years, they can't just give you notice simply because you're handing in your notice!

[Chocolateteabag]

As Hollowtalk says - if you've been there over 2 years then they can't just terminate your employment

If they are going to be upset what ever you do, then do what feels right to you. I personally would like to leave any company on the best terms possible - you never know what is round the corner

[SavannahKT]

Thanks a lot for your insights. I know that I might sound very stupid, and that I should just follow the procedure to protect myself.
The business trip is beneficial for the company, but not quite necessary, hence why I was thinking they might want to cancel it in case I quit (it’s more of an internal thing).

The truth is that I have my appraisal soon, and my manager is expecting me to discuss not only my past performance, but also my future, all the projects I am looking after, what to do next, the way forward. And I can’t bear to just lie to her face, making up goals and strategies, planning business trips and meetings that I know will not happen, pretending that I am not leaving in just over a couple of months. And then, in a 4/5 weeks’ time, just go to her and resign.

I have been with the company for more than 2 years, worked hard to get where I am now and have a good relationship with colleagues and superiors. I know that everything can happen and I can't predict the reaction of the company, but it would be utterly shocking if they fired me straight after my resignation after all I have done 🙁

[Isleepinahedgefund]

Of course you’re not obliged to, but in the situation I would actually tell them now. I agree with you it would look terrible to have your appraisal, talk about future plans and then resign. Moving abroad requires planning and they will know you knew a while ago.

Also, I think you should preserve your reputation and leave on good terms - you never know when you might need their help in the future.

What I would do is to make a succession plan and take it with you when having the conversation. I did this in my last job which I’ve just left. I loved my team and only left because my project had come to an end and had moved to business as usual. I could have left on two weeks’ notice once my checks had been completed , but I explained the situation to my new manager and arranged a 6 week handover instead (some leave included). In that time I did a really thorough handover and started the process to recruit my replacement. I left with my reputation intact and knowing that I had set them up for future success and hadn’t screwed over people I liked and respected.

[Alpecker]

I have told my manager I intend to leave by the end of March but haven't officially handed my notice in because we're planning for the next 12 months and I too can't lie to someone I respect.

As you're moving abroad I can't see how there would be ill will internally, especially if you're offering longer and to train people.

[BritInUS1]

If you were on my team and you were moving overseas then I would appreciate having as much notice as possible