How to resign

RedViking

RedViking

Nord of the South
Joined
Feb 23, 2012
Messages
87,310
Reaction score
73,412
Location
>> CLICK HERE TO FIND COFFEE <<
I guess it might be a stupid question to some. But I have no idea how to resign, or how to write a formal letter or introduction that is a bit more personal. I know there will be a letter that shouldn't say,

Dear X,

this will be my last month at work. I will pursue new opportunities towards greener pastures. I am extraordinary grateful for my years of slavery and what I have learned working for you, but it is time for me to go, or die trying.

Your only Architectural Designer.
Viking, RedViking

Long version:

I have been working for the company (more like working for a person as there are no other managers) for 12 years plus. I was the first employee and helped build his company and team. I am the only designer on complex projects and the person with the most general knowledge in the company.

I can write a book on what all he is doing wrong, but that is not the point of this thread.

I used to have a very good personal relationship with the boss, but as he got richer (and employees poorer), older and bigger the relationship started fading. Even though there are serious things I am not happy with, I have a lot of respect for him as he gave an 18 year old with no qualifications, home or future an opportunity, and I feel I owe my life to him, even though I am a slave. He never used to question what I do and if I need to go away I just send a message I am out of office.

The resignation will be by email (not a local company) and I will probably receive a shocked Skype call soon after trying to convince me not to go as well as an increase blah blah blah...... although I think the company is not doing so well anymore, so maybe no increase, lol.

I am working on a new business opportunity and want to be ready when the time comes. Its just just around the corner. It needs to work out.
 
The way i see it Mangers Take advantage and think they are some type of God, Just send the Letter To the CEO outlying the conditions and the reason for exiting the Company, Put out all the dirty LAUNDRY... My x boss needs a Wake up call I have S&^&* on him and every time we had a disagreement he would point to the Resignation form that He printed and put on the Notice Board... Karma is a B^&^%%$......
 
RedViking said:
So you suggest I first call him to say I resign and then email formal?

I was thinking of doing this, but getting hold of him these days is very difficult.
Click to expand...


Then set up a meeting with "Resignation" as the subject.

I found it best to be straight, a phone call explaining and follow up with email is normally well received.

Unless of course there is much bad blood, then you can send him something like this..


0ca5a3a1-aee8-40a6-b96d-137d88e9338d.jpg
 
requiem said:
Then set up a meeting with "Resignation" as the subject.

I found it best to be straight, a phone call explaining and follow up with email is normally well received.

Unless of course there is much bad blood, then you can send him something like this..


View attachment 895698
Click to expand...
I want to resign before it gets to that (assuming I can secure a new opportunity within the next month).
 
You do not owe him anything. Yes he took a bet on you and it worked out for him but you grabbed the the bull by the horns and made it work.

Sorry and sweet with no negativity. Leave the door open on the way out.
 
In my humble opinion and from my personal experience, there is no reason to write an extraordinary resignation letter. The reason I say this is because I can relate to your circumstances to a degree and also had a very good relationship with my "boss" after I started the company on his behalf (he was under a restraint of trade and I did not have the financial resources of doing it myself), did the dog work, did the slog work and over a period of time built a profitable business which he was able to walk into and take control. Initially, I was given all things that were promised and we worked well together.

As you said in your post, as the business became more profitable and the "boss" become richer, things began to change. The changed to such an extent that actually shocked me as this person whom I considered a friend over an above being my "boss" started changing things to such an extent that I decided to resign. My resignation letter was written with professionalism and did not attack him or the company in any way or form. I naturally received the standard counter offer but I am the kind of person who sticks to my guns and will not accept a counter offer from the company I resign from. (Why does one have to resign from a company for them to see the value you add or their mistakes they are making especially when you address issues annually in performance reviews).

To get back to my reasoning, after we had discussed my resignation period and leave pay etc. it was decided by the "boss" that he would allow me to leave earlier rather than pay my leave pay (Scrooge). I accepted the terms discussed and when my last day arrived, there was no fanfare from my side (or the companies side, not that I had expected any) and left for the day. I spent a few days at home before having to start my new job and low and behold, I get an email from my ex-"boss" telling me that I need to attend a disciplinary hearing at his offices as I am being charged with desertion! Shock and horror, I informed him that he know what he can do with his hearing as I am no longer in his employ and reminded him that he did not pay me leave pay and rather agreed to my notice period being shorter in lieu of leave days owed. I subsequently received threatening emails from his labour lawyer who I advised the same details regarding leave days due etc.

The final outcome of my long saga, was that the "boss" who as I said in the beginning I considered more a friend, showed me who was "boss" and withheld my last salary for three months until he received a lawyers letter from my trade union. So much for respect, loyalty and hard work for a now considered ars*hole of a person (hence the reason for enclosing the word boss in inverted commas)

Apologies for my long winded response but it is meant to give you an indication that you do not have to write an essay or lower your standards to resign and can do it very professionally within a few paragraphs on one page.

Good luck with your new venture.

PS: You don;t owe him your life, you owe him the experience you gained and thank him for that.
 
Last edited:
lkswan747 said:
In my humble opinion and from my personal experience, there is no reason to write an extraordinary resignation letter. The reason I say this is because I can relate to your circumstances to a degree and also had a very good relationship with my "boss" after I started the company on his behalf (he was under a restraint of trade and I did not have the financial resources of doing it myself), did the dog work, did the slog work and over a period of time built a profitable business which he was able to walk into and take control. Initially, I was given all things that were promised and we worked well together.

As you said in your post, as the business became more profitable and the "boss" become richer, things began to change. The changed to such an extent that actually shocked me as this person whom I considered a friend over an above being my "boss" started changing things to such an extent that I decided to resign. My resignation letter was written with professionalism and did not attack him or the company in any way or form. I naturally received the standard counter offer but I am the kind of person who sticks to my guns and will not accept a counter offer from the company I resign from. (Why does one have to resign from a company for them to see the value you add or their mistakes they are making especially when you address issues annually in performance reviews).

To get back to my reasoning, after we had discussed my resignation period and leave pay etc. it was decided by the "boss" that he would allow me to leave earlier rather than pay my leave pay (Scrooge). I accepted the terms discussed and when my last day arrived, there was no fanfare from my side (or the companies side, not that I had expected any) and left for the day. I spent a few days at home before having to start my new job and low and behold, I get an email from my ex-"boss" telling me that I need to attend a disciplinary hearing at his offices as I am being charged with desertion! Shock and horror, I informed him that he know what he can do with his hearing as I am no longer in his employ and reminded him that he did not pay me leave pay and rather agreed to my notice period being shorter in lieu of leave days owed. I subsequently received threatening emails from his labour lawyer who I advised the same details regarding leave days due etc.

The final outcome of my long saga, was that the "boss" who as I said in the beginning I considered more a friend, showed me who was "boss" and withheld my last salary for three months until he received a lawyers letter from my trade union. So much for respect, loyalty and hard work for a now considered ars*hole of a person (hence the reason for enclosing the word boss in inverted commas)

Apologies for my long winded response but it is meant to give you an indication that you do not have to write an essay or lower your standards to resign and can do it very professionally within a few paragraphs on one page.

Good luck with your new venture.

PS: You don;t owe him your life, you owe him the experience you gained and thank him for that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the valuable input. Although I am not expecting such an attitude yet, the way things have been going is very similar. I actually think I need to prepare not receiving my last salary the last month as well as threats made to confiscate my "office" computer and server.
 
RedViking said:
Thanks for the valuable input. Although I am not expecting such an attitude yet, the way things have been going is very similar. I actually think I need to prepare not receiving my last salary the last month as well as threats made to confiscate my "office" computer and server.
Click to expand...
Things were going well for me then the "threats" if you could call it that started. Just keep your head up and carry on.
Make sure you have read your contracts etc properly before saying anything.
It may be tempting if things get heated but keep it cool. :)

Good luck!
 
I've only done it twice before, but I kept my letter short and to the point. It basically said,

To whom it may concern,

This letter serves as 30 days notice that I, @newby_investor (ID number 534987) intend to terminate my employment at Ye Olde Investment House.

Regards,
<my actual name>

I then took it to my boss's office and had a discussion with him. Both times it has gone well, though I had very entry-level positions. My last job-change was promotion within the same company so none of this was needed.
 
alternate said:
Things were going well for me then the "threats" if you could call it that started. Just keep your head up and carry on.
Make sure you have read your contracts etc properly before saying anything.
It may be tempting if things get heated but keep it cool. :)

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Fortunately there is no formal contract as I started when I was still wet behind the ears. I managed to get my brother also to do some work for him, so I am preparing that he might use that to manipulate me. But my bro is a big boy now and can fight his own battle.
 
The date, then “Herewith notice of my resignation. In accordance with my letter of appointment my notice period is ‘days’, my last working day will be ‘date’”, then sign, or send the email.

If you have intentions of trying to maintain some form of relationship after leaving, a phone call followed by the letter and email is a good idea.

Not the time to air the dirty laundry, it is in the past, move on and focus on the future.
 
Mate if you don't resign by throwing a bunch of papers into the air and storming off in the middle of a meeting you're doing it all wrong.
OK granted that is a bit tough with folk working from home but still, a scene is necessary.

Keep it short, simple, be polite and thank them for the opportunity. You never know these days, the number of people I've seen returning to their previous place is surprisingly high.
 
RedViking said:
So you suggest I first call him to say I resign and then email formal?

I was thinking of doing this, but getting hold of him these days is very difficult.
Click to expand...

I prefer email first, discussion second.

They can get over the shock when they are sitting down reading the email. Then you talk about it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X