What is the etiquette for handing in notice

[asd99]

Apologies it sounds a bit stupid, but I’ve never left a job before.

Is it acceptable to do it via email?
When googling, it seems most sites recommend handing a letter to your manager (not really feasible now as WFH)

Also, if I do it via email would you attach it as a separate PDF/document or write it in the actual email (hope that makes sense)
From googling templates it seems many write their managers address, which seems overly formal for an email - so maybe it’s best to attach as separate document?

Finally, was wondering if it’s acceptable to send a resignation email without previously ever bringing up leaving or any hints that I’m unhappy at work

I hope I’m not committing a social faux pas by never bringing up that I want to leave, and then randomly handing in my notice out of the blue... 😬
That being said I think I’d chicken out of mentioning it via zoom an email seems much less scary for the first step imo
(I’d be polite enough to say last goodbyes over a call)

Following!

I would call your manager and let them know. You should then follow it up with a formal letter which you can submit as an attached file via email.

Out of respect I would telephone the manager and let them know you will be sending an email / letter. Thank them for their support over x amount of years.

Well, you could just send an email. But it would be much better speaking to your manager directly first. It might take a bit of courage, but it's the right thing to do.

OMG no you can't just send an email, no matter what the WFH situation is. You would do this face to face in normal times, so at the moment you should do it over zoom (other providers are available). You have a chat, then follow up with a letter in writing - the format of that doesn't matter.

Also it doesn't matter if you've not given hints before.

No one likes resigning, it's as awkward as all hell, but you still need to do it face to face.

@Feelingconfusedtonight

I would call your manager and let them know. You should then follow it up with a formal letter which you can submit as an attached file via email.

This is what I would do

But fix a time; send her an email saying "I need to speak with you urgently today" and let her a fix a time or she may call you immediately.

Have your letter ready. Sign off with "I have very much enjoyed my time at Luna PLC" or whatever, even if you haven't.

Re the no issues, my last resignation, I raised the issues, they said they didn't want to address them - then acted stunned when I resigned the following week. My line manager then called her line manager on holiday, to get her to call me to see if they could change my mind! On holiday FFS!

Some people are weird, so gird yourself.

You write an email that includes the last day you are going to work and you have it ready to send, but don’t send it. Then you tell your manager in person or on a call. When the meeting is over, you hit send on the email.

Call your manager then email.

Definitely call. Also, my friend who was a head hunter said "always resign on a Friday". Gives everyone the weekend to get over it, and less likely that you'll get dragged into "but why" discussions with multiple people, counter offers etc. I always followed this advice and I think she's probably right.

Also, agree- set a time in advance. She'll probably suspect it's coming then.

Depends why you're leaving and how you get on with your manager really.

I've resigned from a shitty job with an arsehole manager by physically passing my manager a (very short) letter in an envelope and walking away.

I've resigned from a nice job with a friendly manager by having a long, detailed chat about where I'm going and why.

I've told a manager that was incredibly rude to me over the phone outside of working hours 'I quit!' and hung up. Then followed it up with a letter the next day.

If there's no bad feeling and it's just a standard working relationship then I'd probably have a letter ready, that includes some sort of reason for leaving (not necessary, but I think it's polite) nothing too detailed 'change in personal circumstances' 'offered an exciting opourtunity' something like that. Make sure you include the date of your last day, so there's no misunderstandings. And a thank you for support / development / a role you've enjoyed / something like that if you feel it's appropriate.

Then I'd arrange a verbal conversation with your manager where you tell them and then follow it up with your letter afterwards.

I would call manager and give them the heads up and then follow it up by a formal written letter/email.

Or on the call ask what they would be expecting next to make it official?

Surprised by people saying call first! I’ve left a few jobs - fairly senior marketing manager type roles - and I’ve always just emailed directly or left an actual physical letter on the desk. Usually I’d be leaving because I had issues with crappy management etc so there’s no way I’d want to have an awkward chat with them! I guess if you get on really well with them it might be different.

Separate in your mind the difference between leaving a job and ending a relationship or friendship, snd if you have any actual relationships at work they will be helped by you having made this distinction too. Once you've done that the phone call will be easier.

Phone call to manager or HR if manager is not available, followed by letter as others have said .
Would normally be face to face with manager followed by letter but obviously not possible at the moment.

Let them know informally. Follow up with a letter (sent by email).

Letting them know early gives them time to plan to replace you (assuming they will) or deal with workload when you're gone.

I handed my notice in last week.

Normally, Id have had a letter ready and would have asked for a chat with my boss, explain the situation in the meeting and hand the letter over

As im now WFH, I rang my boss and told her then followed up with the letter, attached to the email. Letter was a bog standard "i resign, last day is xx date. Thank you for your support during my employment" and the body of the email was "further to our conversation, please find attached my resignation. Working on handover...."

@Bagelsandbrie

Surprised by people saying call first! I’ve left a few jobs - fairly senior marketing manager type roles - and I’ve always just emailed directly or left an actual physical letter on the desk. Usually I’d be leaving because I had issues with crappy management etc so there’s no way I’d want to have an awkward chat with them! I guess if you get on really well with them it might be different.

That's just shitty behaviour.

Ps, they may be surprised, but they might know. I've been in the position so many times watching someone's journey, seeing the anguish, trying to leave opportunities in one to one's for them to express thoughts to help ease their anxiety of the big reveal!

I would always call my manager, left a few jobs now and I always speak with the manager first then submit a letter, would email the letter atm though.

I'd only just send an email if there is a bad relationship and you just want gone, it would look quite rude so it depends if you mind coming across rude or not.

I agree with the advice given by previous posters. Please do not send an email! A resignation needs to be made formally.

I too have always done it on a Friday. That way the first week of your notice period starts on the following Monday.

You need to prepare your letter, and I’ve always included my notice period within it, but please speak to your manager first before sending it.

How is it shitty behaviour? If you don’t get on with a manager you’re not going to have a heart to heart with them are you? If a boss hasn’t been a great boss you don’t owe them anything other than the formalities.

Type up email, I don't think it has to be a separate attachment, don't send it. Then call manager and tell them you are handing in your notice, you can say here if it's because you've found something else or why if you like but don't feel you have to. If you are wanting them to counter offer then you can always say I'll be handing in my notice at the end of the week. If not then just send the email after the conversation.

Always advise your manager face to face. It is seen as rude to simply leave a note or send it via email. I did this once and I know my boss was really hurt by my actions. Be brave and have the chat, then send your formal letter via email.

Be nice in the letter. Say something like “please accept this letter as my formal notice to terminate my employment. I have enjoyed working with the team for the past x years and thank you for the opportunity” etc.

Avoiding airing grievances. Leave on a good note.

Fridays are a good day to do this.

Good luck

I’ve never just had a letter, always a conversation first.
But I think it can be an email conversation, I’ve had various that go a bit like this ‘Hi Pepperama. I just wanted to let you know I’ve had a job offer in xyz and have decided to accept it, just wanted to let you know before I send my formal resignation in tomorrow. I’ll work my notice period and obviously make sure to leave everything in good shape for my successor. It’s been such a fab time, learnt a lot, Thanks for...’