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Original poster

Help me with resignation etiquette.

16 replies

AtheneNoctua · 29/04/2008 17:06

Okay, this is a tad premature. Buyt, at what point do you hand in your resignation. With a written offer? After contract with new company is signed?

And, if you worked over an hours drive from the office where your boss works, would you take the time to go tell him/her in person. Or would you send letter? Maybe send letter after phone call?

I'm so excited. I hate my job. And I just want to hand over a letter and then start signing "take this job and shove it".

For now, I shall contain myself....

OP posts:

stillstanding · 29/04/2008 17:14

Depends on how binding the written offer is. If they can't retract it and it is effectively a done deal, I suppose you could go for it but I would hold off until the contract is signed.

Re how to do it, depends on how much you usually see him. Do you go there regularly? If so you should make the trip. But if you work elsewhere and most of your interaction is by phone/email etc I would put in the phone call followed by the letter.

Original poster

AtheneNoctua · 29/04/2008 17:25

I never see my boss, actually... maybe twice a year.

OP posts:

TheFallenMadonna · 29/04/2008 17:26

You have a new job lined up?

TheFallenMadonna · 29/04/2008 17:27

DH told his boss when he had the offer. He then negotiated a notice period and signed the new contract.

TheFallenMadonna · 29/04/2008 17:28

Sorry, should have added handed in formal resignation when new contract signed. But then just a formality of course.

Nagapie · 29/04/2008 17:31

Whatever you do, DON'T leave on bad terms and tell them to stuff their job - even if it was the worst job you ever had the misfortune of doing....

What does your job contract state? I think you owe the boss the courtesy of a one-on-one to tell him you are leaving

hanaflower · 29/04/2008 17:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fridayschild · 29/04/2008 17:49

Leaving on good terms is never the wrong thing to do. Leaving on bad terms is, sometimes.

Both times I have resigned from a "proper" job (ie not student vac work) I have handed in my notice once I am sure that the conditions in the offer letter will be satisfied. I pass medicals, for instance, so I never let that stop me.

And I would advocate resigning face to face, as this can be fun even when you play it straight. The first time I resigned, my boss was sitting when I walked into the room, but stood up after I had said sweetly, "I'm going to resign. Do I address my letter to you or to Robert?" He felt he couldn't answer me sitting down - he was a foot taller than me. Obviously if you have to schedule a meeting with your boss s/he will know something is up, but he may think you are PG again, or something like that.

Original poster

AtheneNoctua · 29/04/2008 17:51

I had not been offered the new job yet. I'm just planning my approach for when / if I am. Should know this week.

I won't leave on bad terms. I was joking about singing "take this job and shove". Well, not really. But I shall control the urge.

The trouble with a face to face is it could take weeks to get my boss to arrange time for me. If she was in the same office I would definitely walk into her office for a chat.

I suppose I'll call her and her a day to get back to me. Then, I'll send an e-mail if she doesn't respond.

LOTS (and I mean LOTS!) of people are leaving. I don't think she'll be surprised really.

Anyway, I'm jumping the gun here a tad as I don't have another job... yet!

OP posts:

stillstanding · 29/04/2008 20:19

Good luck, Athene - hope the search goes well!

Original poster

AtheneNoctua · 29/04/2008 20:20

Thanks.

OP posts:

jamescagney · 30/04/2008 09:15

Yeah good luck hon!
[gettig great vicarious pleasure in imagining the scenario]

billybass · 30/04/2008 10:31

Good luck from me too Athene.I had a job offer in writing but it was retracted due to a mistake with my sickness record. I am still trying to get job offer reinstated!

LadyPenelope · 30/04/2008 10:50

Wait until contract is signed so that you know all the terms and conditions.
In situation you describe where you see your boss just twice a year, think it would be best to hand in notice over the phone and send the letter straight after the call.
I would not resign by email, even if she does not call you back immediately. I would say it's urgent and you must speak to her today.
Letter could say something nice like "I wish you and xx company continuing success in the future". I've usually said something about enjoying working there or with them, but it's not necessary if you've hated it.

Good luck!

HappyNewMum2Be · 30/04/2008 14:43

Remember that companies do not have to provide you with an employment contract or statement of terms before you have completed 8 weeks work (or within 8 weeks IYKWIM).

An offer can always be withdrawn before the start date as well, however I have only come across it once in 10 years of working as a rec consultant - and then it was following a bad reference issue.

Good luck with the job hunt!

Original poster

AtheneNoctua · 30/04/2008 17:52

Well, bugger that. If they want me to accept the job they present me with a contract, and when I agree to the terms, we will both sign it.

Don't think I'll jack in my current job until I have another one to go to.

By the way, I was bit unfair earlier in all my excitement. I don't really hate my job and I get along with my boss. I just hate the project. Everyone does. And there is a truley incredible staff turnover rate.

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