Handing in notice as a remote worker

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Seeking some MN advice.

I work for an amazing amazing company but due to their location I work entirely remotely.

I have been visiting the office once a month but it's a 5 hour round trip.

I've found working from home increasingly isolating and it's affecting my mental health.

I was approached by a competitor more locally based who can offer me part office and part work from home.

I'm in a tough industry and my skills set is rare.

My current company are going to take me handing in my notice really badly. I'm a strong performer and I have built up some amazing relationships.

But it's business and I know I need to do what's best for me.

How would you hand in your notice? Would you attend the office to give your notice in? Or would you do it via phone then email then go into the office one last time?

As I'm going to a competitor it would usually be standard to place me on garden leave so it might be I attend the office then I'm asked to leave straightaway. Not because they don't trust me but it's industry standard.

I rather expect my staff to have the discussion during regular one to one meeting - either face to face or via Skype then follow up with a letter. I wouldn’t think it mattered if the letter arrived by email if the conversation had taken place.

I would phone my line manager in the first instance, to break the news, then we could discuss what else she wanted me to do.

I don't really have a regular one to one via Skype. No camera contact which may have broken the feeling of isolation. I did suggest it once but it kind of fell on deaf ears.

I speak to my manager daily though for updates on my work.

We have a good bond I know he would be upset but understanding.

I have equipment etc I would need to return but other than that there is no reason for me to attend the office other than goodbyes.

So you suggest I do it via phone then follow up with an email. Then ask my boss what next steps would be?

Yes, phone your manager and break the news. You can then discuss next steps, and your follow up email can confirm your formal resignation and the leaving date and period of garden leave (if applicable) you have discussed. You can then arrange to visit the office to return your equipment and say your goodbyes.

I would make sure you hand your equipment over to a specified person, and confirm this by email, as you don't want it to go missing and then to receive emails requesting the return of a laptop etc. that you no longer have!

@ScreamingValenta thank you.

Absolutely dreading it.

My boss is amazing. The company I work for are brilliant and so supportive.

I wish they were closer so I could visit them more often.

My head is just spinning. I know I need to move as I can't wfh. It's literally destroying me mentally I need human contact. I'm so fragile at the moment I can't imagine making the call.

I know my new company are great and supportive too. I can see they know how difficult it's going to be. I'm tempted not to tell my old employer that I'm leaving for a competitor as I won't be starting until the new year. I'll still have to adhere to my restrictive covenants.

Would it help to write down what you intend to say? I would say something along the lines of your post above - that both your boss and the company are great to work for, but you've decided remote working just isn't for you, so you're making the move to an office-based role. Acknowledge how sad you feel and how difficult it is to tell them this; but ultimately you have to put your wellbeing first.

So rather than just hand in my notice you would suggest I do tell them I'm moving to a competitor?

I know they will feel really burned. They've not done this before had a remote worker etc also they've only done it with once with someone who did work for them previously I was a new employee. It was a huge huge deal for them and they really bought into me - I feel like I'm really letting them down.

What I don't want is it to impact future employees that may join the company - I genuinely think it's just me I can't cope with wfh. I need the human contact.

Yes I should write it down. Thanks @ScreamingValenta

I would favour being honest with them - it's better for them if they know exactly why you're leaving, especially as it sounds as though as a company they are doing everything right, it's just that the remote working doesn't work for you.

Realistically, they will probably assume you'll be going to a competitor, as most people aren't in a position to resign with nothing to go to.

Lots of people would jump at a remote working opportunity, so I don't think it will impact future employees.

I understand how you feel - I do some remote working, but I couldn't cope with it all the time. I sometimes get a 'brain freeze' and just need to speak to other people.

Yes honesty is always the best option. I would tell them you found working from home too isolating. Some do find it hard. We’ve got good systems in place to overcome this but even with virtual coffee breaks, regular team calls and meetings, Skype and buddies it’s not for everyone.
Tell your manager the Ruth. They won’t think badly of you.

As others have said, be honest. It doesn’t seem like it’s anything the company have done, it’s just that working from home doesn’t work for you anymore. I’d personally love it, so I don’t necessarily think it would affect future employees but perhaps you could suggest (in an exit interview if you have one) some questions to ask, or points to raise in an interview for a new employee which perhaps you may not have been asked / realises with the wfh position (I.e about the isolation, capacity to have limited contact daily etc.) I would say it’s nkt a bad thing you’ve realised you and the role are not a good fit. You can’t take business personally :)
I hope it goes well.

@ScreamingValenta @RavenLG @CherryPavlova

Thanks for the advice. It's a real team type of job - think sales but not quite. We have designated areas and no one does my area. So I don't have anyone to share successes or wins with - I business develop on my own in a competitive market.

My current company just want to make life as easy as possible for me - they're so so accommodating. Never question me. Give me extra annual leave. Just all round fantastic people. I don't want to burn bridges. I honestly thought I had found my people and I did I have - but I just can't wfh and to set up a regional office would involve a lot of logistics and investment. It would require a commitment from me full time that I can't offer and I can't do wfh until the kids are big enough for me to work full time.

I feel like I've really let them down. I'm sure they will understand but I feel so bad. They saw me as a long term investment and I'm letting them down

You haven't let them down - it's in the nature of running a business that roles don't always work out for people. The alternative would be to continue working in a way that was making you ill - your descent into ill health would not benefit your employer in any way.

As Raven said above, there might be things they can take from your experience. You mentioned about the lack of regular camera contact, for instance - that would be constructive feedback you could offer that might really help a future recruit.

Thanks @ScreamingValenta I spoke to a friend who owns his own company in the same industry just a different specialism and he has about 50 people and three offices.

We socialise a lot and I called him today for advice and he said he can't believe I've managed to do our job for as long as I have from home. It's such a team job. I feel better that someone else gets it.

So I've not handed it in yet as still finalising things with my new company.

However my boss has asked for a meeting next week to see how they can make my role
more exciting and they've put a plan together for me.

They've obviously seen this coming but they can't change the wfh element.

So do I listen to what they have to say then hand in my notice. Or just tell them I'm leaving.

I'm thinking it's going to be not just my boss but his boss too in this conference call. So I'm thinking I need to speak to my boss first out of respect and then ask what he thinks is best?

I don't want to waste their time by having the call then handing in my notice.

I think yes I'll speak to my boss first.

Yes, I think you've made the right choice. The call could be very awkward otherwise, and it will reflect better on your immediate manager if he's seen as someone you've trusted to talk to about your plans in advance.

It's just the timing I needed one more day to finalise with the new company.

It's making it all so so hard.

Thanks @ScreamingValenta for being so generous with your time and advice for a total stranger.

You're welcome . I hope it goes well.

So I did it. It all went well.

Current employer totally understands why. We'll make plans next week re: my exit.

Really glad it went well! You can relax and enjoy the weekend now. Wishing you lots of luck in the new job!

Thank you!!! I'm very very nervous!