Resignation By Email - acceptable?

[LozzaChops101]

Hello everyone -

I work for a potty little local family business. It's a very dysfunctional workplace, factional in the extreme, and things between my manager and me are slightly tense, although that's never openly acknowledged. I was wondering if it's ever ok to resign by email? I have a day off today, and it's my manager's day off tomorrow, and I rarely see her in the workplace the (retail environment) in order to pin her down for a meeting. I've been dithering over this for months (if not longer) and I'd like to just fire an email over this afternoon and get it out of the way. I can pop a hard copy in tomorrow if necessary.

For context, I'm the supervisor of a department. The supervisor of another department gave her notice in a few weeks ago by going directly to the owner of the business, as she had similar issues with our manager. (She hasn't been back to work her notice period as she was so desperate to leave). I don't think my manager even sees herself as the manager, we're really left to just get on with everything, which is why the place is a bit feral and none of us know what to do when we actually need someone.

Seeking advice, as I've only ever worked for bonkers little businesses, and I have no idea of proper etiquette when it comes to these things!

Thanks all.

I think it's fine. If you really want to go and time is of the essence, send the email! There will likely be a follow up meeting but you will have started the clock ticking.

Email is fine.

Totally fine. Generally people have a conversation about it first then follow up with a formal resignation in writing but nothing wrong with skipping to step 2.

I would also copy in the owner when you email.

I was going to say this.

Also make sure you state your end date.

Eg, as per my 2 week notice period, my last day will be 13th April.

Or whatever is appropriate

Yeah it’s fine!

I once wrote my resignation on a beer mat and posted it through my works door. I was drunk at the time but I didn’t regret it 😂

Resigning via email is completely normal as it’s a written record etc

Yes it’s fine. Surely most places require resignation to be in writing anyway? So might as well be email, what’s the alternative other than writing a letter. I suppose it’s normally good form to give someone the heads up verbally first, as a matter of courtesy. But it’s not ‘required’ and probably not even advisable if things are tense

You need to check your contract. Many will specify how and who to. I had to resign a few years ago via email as the person was travelling but I wrote letter, attached to email and gave hard copy when they arrived.

oh - I told them first. However tense things are I would never not have a conversation first.