Best way to resign from job?

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frankrockk

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#60344 24-Apr-2010 22:03

In my previous jobs I just gave my employer a verbal notice that i am going to be leaving in two weeks. i work at a big corporate company now so i'm just wondering what the best way to resign is? do i have to give a written notice? do i need to stay on for two weeks?

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#322494 24-Apr-2010 22:16

You will have to check your contract on the timing. Given you work for such a large company it is very likely the contract will be quite clear about this. It could be up to 4 weeks, and you should also give it in writing. I've always found resignation letters to be a funny thing to write, but generally a two-liner covers it, unless you want to go into more detail thanking the employer for the opportunities you've had and that you've enjoyed working there etc.

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#322495 24-Apr-2010 22:29

Also depending if you want to leave the company in a good term (so you could use the current employers as your referee for future job seeking.

You should have an employment contract and within it should outline what you must do in terms of the advance notice to give to the employer - you should have read this when you sign on for the employment...

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Fraktul

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#322508 24-Apr-2010 23:17

I dont know why anyone would deliberately want to leave on bad terms, you loose the ability to use your moce recent employer as a reference (which would ring alam bells if I was interviewing) and NZ is a small job market, word gets around.

frankrockk

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#322530 25-Apr-2010 01:16

NickiB: You will have to check your contract on the timing. Given you work for such a large company it is very likely the contract will be quite clear about this. It could be up to 4 weeks, and you should also give it in writing. I've always found resignation letters to be a funny thing to write, but generally a two-liner covers it, unless you want to go into more detail thanking the employer for the opportunities you've had and that you've enjoyed working there etc.

ok so its the contract i have to look at. theres no employment law that says you must provide a written resignation letter?

nzkc

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#322539 25-Apr-2010 07:40

Your resignation letter can be as simple as:

Dear [Name,Sir,Madam]

I hereby give notice of my resignation from my position as ABC
As per the terms in my employment my last day will be XYZ

Yours faithfully
[Your name]

That really is all you need. You dont have to give a reason. If you want to leave on "better" terms you can put niceties around it like "I wish the company all the best" etc but it's totally up to you.

kiwitrc

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#322541 25-Apr-2010 07:55

This works really well, but you need to be sure you dont want to work there at some stage in the future.

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wellygary

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#322544 25-Apr-2010 08:07

frankrockk:
NickiB: You will have to check your contract on the timing. Given you work for such a large company it is very likely the contract will be quite clear about this. It could be up to 4 weeks, and you should also give it in writing. I've always found resignation letters to be a funny thing to write, but generally a two-liner covers it, unless you want to go into more detail thanking the employer for the opportunities you've had and that you've enjoyed working there etc.

ok so its the contract i have to look at. theres no employment law that says you must provide a written resignation letter?

A dated letter means that you have a documented paper trail, in case your employer disputes the date you gave notice and asks you to work out a period of notice to a different date than the one you advised them of.

NickiB

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#322552 25-Apr-2010 08:36

frankrockk:

ok so its the contract i have to look at. theres no employment law that says you must provide a written resignation letter?

I'm not an employment law expert, as far as I know it's not 'the law' to give written notice, but as someone else said, it covers your own back. You should note that if you're planning on not working out your notice period, the employer can withhold any holiday pay that covers that period, and if you don't have enough holiday pay, then they can seek to recover the amount of your wages for that period from you. Like I said, no expert, someone may correct me, but that has always been my understanding. That is also why it's best to have it in writing so there is no dispute over dates.

Any new employers should understand that there is a notice period at your current job and be prepared negotiate an appropriate starting time with you. Leaving early also leaves you on bad terms. Given this appears to be your first major job, this will be an important referee to have for a while, most prospective employers want 2 references minimum when you apply.

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sbiddle

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#322553 25-Apr-2010 08:40

You do need to remember that your contract may also give a time period.

Typically it's accepted practice that a resignation period matches your pay period unless specifically mentioned in your contract, ie if you are paid weekly 1 week is OK. If you are paid monthly then a months notice would be required.

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#322556 25-Apr-2010 08:51

Also, it's good practice to advise your line manager of your intention to resign in advance of the official notification (anywhere up to several months in advance) - this isn't mandatory, but it means they can make preparations to hire a replacement early and certainly helps you leave on better terms.

Kiwipixter

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#322594 25-Apr-2010 11:05

Also, the resignation is usually acceptable via an e-mail but definitely not via txt.

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johnr

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#322596 25-Apr-2010 11:10

Kiwipixter: Also, the resignation is usually acceptable via an e-mail but?definitely?not via txt.?

Surely no one would do this!

Byrned

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#322601 25-Apr-2010 11:27

Kyanar: Also, it's good practice to advise your line manager of your intention to resign in advance of the official notification (anywhere up to several months in advance) - this isn't mandatory, but it means they can make preparations to hire a replacement early and certainly helps you leave on better terms.

I would be careful about doing something like this. Most companies also have a maximum notice period. Once you have advised them you will be leaving they can take that as the point that you are resigning and invoke the notice period.

It happened to someone I know who had been working for a company for 20+ years, decided to move on, but thought they'd them know as soon as they'd made the decision which was seven weeks before the actual date they were due to resign.

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#322636 25-Apr-2010 13:32

+1 for checking contract
+1 for written resignation

When i left EDS I gave email and written notification - email went to HR, my supervisor and my manager to cover all bases :)

I left on good terms and was hoping to use my supervisor for a reference etc.... after I left they closed the department and made everyone redundant so never got the reference... :)

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#322704 25-Apr-2010 16:44

xpd: +1 for checking contract
+1 for written resignation

When i left EDS I gave email and written notification - email went to HR, my supervisor and my manager to cover all bases :)

I left on good terms and was hoping to use my supervisor for a reference etc.... after I left they closed the department and made everyone redundant so never got the reference... :)

Thats why its ALWAYS best to get a written reference from your supervisor/boss/whatever before you leave.

That way, if you are in your situation, or the same as me, where my boss left shortly after I did, then you have a written reference... Won't be making that mistake again. lol.

kiwitrc: This works really well, but you need to be sure you dont want to work there at some stage in the future.

Haha, I'm sure it does!

johnr:
Surely no one would do this!

Theres ALWAYS someone.

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