To hand in my notice via email?

[Beetlebrooker]

I know it's good form to resign to your managers face, typically (or by video call in our workplace just now) - but I can never get to speak to him these days, which is one of the reasons I'm leaving (poor management and feeling undervalued).

I was due to speak with him today - just for a routine chat and a catch-up, as he's cancelled our supposedly weekly meetings repeatedly for the last few weeks - but as usual, he's pushed our conversation back and back and back until I don't even know if we'll speak at all today.

I want to hand in my notice though - would it be wrong to simply email it to him and copy in HR? I'd like to think he'll drop everything to call me when he sees it, but I won't hold my breath.

I have a fab new job where I'll actually matter.

In this instance I think that is perfectly acceptable, you've tried to speak face to face, they've left you with no other option. I hope your new job is fabulous!!!!

Absolutely fine, could write it in a word doc and attach

Perfectly fine. I wouldn't even copy HR.

Good luck with the new job!

@CanIBeACurlyGirl

Perfectly fine. I wouldn't even copy HR.

Good luck with the new job!

Yeah, let your manager sort that out

Thank you! Fingers crossed the new job will be fab, it's a scary move but I know I can do it and I already know the people.

I'm sad about this place, it could've been so much more and I've been here long enough to be part of the furniture, but the greed and culture has just become too much. My letter says "I no longer feel that the role is a good fit with my skillset", which is true - they made me feel small and of no significance. Too much?

It’s sad when your let down somewhere you’ve been for a long period of time.

I tend to keep my notices short and to the point, please accept this as my resignation, my last day will be xxxx thank you for the opportunity.

You’ll have an exit interview so can go into detail then if you wanted to

Better to say you are moving for the opportunity to develop new skills or to work in a different market sector etc. not to burn bridges as you never know what the may future bring.

That seems reasonable. If you find it very hard to get hold of him anyway. When I resigned last year I had an email written already, called my manager to give her the heads up. But it seems that you just won't be able to do that. So don't feel bad about doing it by email.

Email is fine - I did that in March to go at the end of this term.

However, I agree about not burning your bridges. Don't say anything negative about why you are leaving, however much you want to. Ghostontoast1 puts it perfectly.

It's OK in the circumstances. I don't give reasons in my resignation letter, if they want to know they can ask in an exit interview or a conversation with the manager. What does your work policy say, do you have to submit your resignation to HR?

Hmm yes - I thought giving a simple reason in the letter avoids misunderstandings, but I could expand in the exit interview.

Maybe I'll scratch that bit! Obviously there is a lot I'd like to say, but despite my DH's enthusiasm for me giving them a piece of my mind, it's a small world - I have no intention of burning bridges or making my notice period uncomfortable.

As much as I want to say, I Ioathe working for a team of misogynistic glory-hunting wankers and I can't wait to leave...

Not only is it fine, but I would actually recommend it as then you have a time-stamped paper trail and there can be no later claims of miscommunication or forgetting. DO make sure you’re complimentary to him in the letter, and thank him for the training and opportunities he’s provided for you (even if getting a hold of him is like herding fucking cats). If you’re going to work a certain notice period, mention it, and that you look forward to having your exit interview before your final day on X date.

Haven't actually checked the policy, I'll see if I can find it.

misogynistic glory-hunting wankers

Well, you’ve outed yourself for sure, OP. I now know you work in... erm... a business.

Personally I agree with others just keep it factual. And well I'd say sod the exit interview. I have never seen the point, you're leaving nothing you can say will make the slightest scrap of difference - what can they do anyway if you don't engage??

I’d try ringing your manager a couple of times in the next couple of hours, and start my email with “I apologise for not speaking to you beforehand, but have been unable to reach you”.

I did because then they can't try to claim they didn't get it. But I had little/no faith in my old company by then. I literally just said I'm handing in my notice and they have a month before I leave. Didn't say why, wouldn't make any difference, they thought they were fantastic.

@Moonshine11

Absolutely fine, could write it in a word doc and attach

That's what I was advised to do when i asked HR where I work.

@starfishmummy

Personally I agree with others just keep it factual. And well I'd say sod the exit interview. I have never seen the point, you're leaving nothing you can say will make the slightest scrap of difference - what can they do anyway if you don't engage??

I agree - I don’t do exit interviews. What’s in it for me?

@RightYesButNo

misogynistic glory-hunting wankers

Well, you’ve outed yourself for sure, OP. I now know you work in... erm... a business.

Haha, well quite!

It's always the same isn't it - you keep that hot angry little list in your head as to why you can't bear it any longer, all ready to spill your guts at the exit interview, but you know you won't because it's not worth the bad feeling and risk of it being misconstrued and then haunting you forever. I don't see the point either.

I left one job because the person I reported in to was a functioning alcoholic, the things he did and the level of unreasonableness was amazing. At the exit interview I said all the polite things, but the CEO stopped me outside afterwards and said was there anything I wanted to say off the record. Because they KNEW, they knew what he was like. But I kept my counsel, and they got rid of him a few years later.

Congratulations on the lovely new job! Yaaaay!

I'd attach a letter of resignation to an email, copied to HR and say in the email that naturally you'd have preferred to tell him in person but your weekly meetings have been cancelled for x weeks.

Phone him up, tell him, then follow up by email. If it goes to voicemail, tell him you wish to hand in your notice and ask him to call back.

You don't need a formal meeting to resign.

I’d also BCC your personal email address as a time stamped record just in case they cut off your email access immediately.

Well, I adjusted my letter, attached it to an email and got it all ready, but then I called him as a last effort - and he actually answered!

So the deed is done, video face-to-video face.

He was shocked. We talked for an hour, I was candid (but guarded) and he fully accepts that I haven't had the right support. He's asked me to give him 24 hrs to see if there's anything he can come up with to change my mind, which will be interesting as I can't see how they can change to accommodate one person.

Perhaps I'm not totally invisible to them after all.