You Can Avoid a Bad Resignation
Resigning from a job is one of those events employees experience at least once in their professional lives. Some leave because they have found better opportunities elsewhere, while some have issues with the company or its management. There are some who need to stop working for other reasons "“ failing health, starting a family, relocation, or some would like to be their own bosses by venturing into business.
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But whatever your reasons for resigning may be, you need to do it right. Here are three points to remember if you want to resign the fuss-free way:
Diplomacy should be all over your resignation letter.
In most cases, the first step in the resignation process is the handing of a resignation letter. You need to be very careful in maneuvering yourself in this step because it's one of those situations that, when not done right, can spell a lot of awkwardness to you and your soon-to-be former company. Make your resignation letter while in a calm and reasonable state of mind. Focus on your positive experiences with the company as you write your letter and hand it.
An important point: Don't turn your resignation letter into an editorial. The usual perception with resignation letters is that they're these documents disgruntled employees can use to vent their frustrations, risk-free. Resigning employees usually think, "What else can the company do to me? I'm already resigning. Might as well speak my mind and tell them everything I hate about the company." Wrong.
(1)Â Â Â You're burning bridges by lashing out on co-workers or the organization they're still working for.
(2)   You still need to render your notice period. It would be awkward to work with people you may have treated with     overflowing vitriol on your letter.
(3)Â Â Â Your company's HR may put the letter on your 201 file for your new and future employers to see.
It is advised that you hold your tongue and keep all complaints to yourself. Even if you've cleared yourself from your former employer, bashing them makes you look very unprofessional.
Never render an immediate resignation.
There shouldn't be any reason to refuse finishing your notice period. One, if you are a regular employee, your employment contract and the country's Labor Code require you finish a thirty-day notice period. That's legally binding, which means you may be facing legal action if you don't have any valid reason that would exempt you from this provision. On the other hand, probationary employees may reason that they're not yet legally bound to finish the resignation notice period. While that may be true, finishing the notice period despite being a probationary employee would be a testament to your professionalism, not to mention you're nurturing the relationships you've built while being in the company.
Not finishing your notice period means that aside from the possibility of your company suing you for breach of contract, you'd also not be entitled to your last pay check or any severance package. You can also forget getting a decent character reference from your former supervisors. The bottom line is, if you already have a new job prospect, inform your new company that you would still need to render your notice period with your soon-to-be former employers. Companies would respect that more than you abandoning your former company because you have to start with your new company right away.
Turn over properly.
Ideally, your replacement would come in a couple of weeks, or at the latest, a week, before your last day in the office. You are expected to turn over all your responsibilities to the new hire. Be thorough in imparting your knowledge to the new employee and don't withhold things because you think it's unfair that you won't be getting credit anymore. Don't leave the newbie hanging and inadequate, making you look better compared to him or her. Most of all, never take home office equipment, thinking you'd be long gone once what's missing would be discovered, leaving the blame to the new one. Those sneaky moves are downright inappropriate and unprofessional.
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Resigning from your job is difficult for all parties involved; believe it or not, even in the part of companies. Make things easier by avoiding complications. And always remember: Don't burn bridges. The corporate world may look big, but there's a huge chance you'll bump into familiar faces at some points in your career. It always pays to be cordial with everyone who has played a part in your professional life.
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