To hand in notice remotely (etiquette)?

[Celia24]

I am wondering how important people/managers feel it is to hand your notice to your manager directly face to face, versus over a video call for example.

I work mostly remotely with occasional office days. This week I am going to a conference so skipping my usual office day.

My manager will be in the office all days, so I can make an exception and make the journey one day just to resign, or simply speak to him online in the next few days.

As it happens, I am leaving because I've been offered a better position with better pay and my boss has been blocking my career progression. I don't want to to burn bridges if course.

I’d always try to speak with them before putting in the letter, ideally face to face but if not via video conference call. Once I’ve had the conversation, then confirm in writing.

if they are going to be difficult about it, then they’ll be difficult regardless of how you’ve done it.

I think in the scenario you’ve described, a video call would be sufficient, and then follow up in writing/via email.

I have never had a discussion or meeting prior to handing my notice in.

Email your formal resignation letter and if your boss wants to discuss it further then set up a date and time to do so.

A phone/video call followed by a written notice is absolutely fine. I think making a special trip to the office for it would be OTT

I keep seeing info that says in person is the decent thing to do @DrunkenElephant but am dubious

I did it in person in my last job but in the end...it's still the same shitty news from their point of view isn't it?

Hmmmm, a modern day dilemma.

I think it would be courteous to see him in person, face to face.

Don’t rub his corporate nose in the fact you are leaving for an uplift in salary etc.

Remember, “what goes around, comes around” so you are wise to consider the concept of burning bridges.

Good luck with the new job. There is nothing wrong with making career progress. I hope all goes well.

IMO a video call is equivalent to doing it in person if you work remotely or mostly remotely.

Sending your notice in writing without a conversation first would be very bizarre behaviour everywhere I've worked.

I just don't know if he'll appreciate it or not @Ladyprehensile

We sit opposite each other when we are both in the office so hearing that news then having to sit opposite me all day without time to absorb seems very awkward.

But obviously I don't want to seem discourteous either, hence the question

It's phenomenally rude to just send an email. Unless being rude is what you want to do.

I don't think you need your do in-person as long as you speak to your line manager - call or online meeting us fine.

I manage people and I'm happy with a phone call or teams. I don't expect someone to do it in person especially if they are working remotely.

I think email without discussion is a little rude and lacks professionalism. I know others will see it differently.

A call allows me to ask about their preferred leaving date, preference for untaken leave or payment in lieu, any chances in the interim, like not taking on new cases, whether they want to tell rest of team or keep it confidential for a longer period, potential gardening leave etc.

It helps me plan for their exit and try to make it work best for everyone.

At the same time, it's still individual choice so people leaving really can do it whatever way they want.

I’ve put my notice in twice in the last 4 years and both times it was call/video call with my line manager, call/video call with a boss, then email my letter across to them.

I would never think to talk to them
Just email in and say if they would like to discuss it then I'd be happy
It doesn't seem rude to me...

No it isn’t, it depends on the business and how employers treat their employees.

It would be incredibly strange to request a meeting to tell someone you were handing in your notice at my current employer. They don’t care, we are all just a number and therefore easily replaceable. My line manager would be very confused if I asked for a chat to tell her I was leaving and would no doubt tell me to just put it in writing.

Implying that someone is rude for not having a meeting before hand is quite ignorant, not all employers are good employers and not all companies expect the same thing.

Hi all, in the end I did it remotely.

In fact, my boss asked for a private chat about something else which provided the space to do it then and there. Ripped the plaster off!

Thanks for the advice.

Good luck in your new job Celia!