Yes, resigning via email is acceptable and common, especially for formal documentation, but best practice is to first tell your manager in person or via a video call/phone call, then follow up immediately with the official, polite, and brief resignation email for a formal record, ensuring a positive departure. Use a clear subject line like "Resignation - [Your Name]" and keep the email short and professional, stating your intent to leave and final date, without complaints.
It isn't rude to quit via email when you are careful of all the expected etiquette necessary in your communication and you're able to get your point across in a level way.
It's best to avoid email in any case – even if your manager is on retreat at a remote mountain with no phone access. There should be someone else acting in their role who you can resign to face-to-face or by phone, says Elissa Henderson, Senior Business Partner Workplace Experience at Davidson.
Secondly, hand in (or send) your official resignation letter. It should include key components such as your last day of employment and the notice period. You can either hand in your resignation in person or send it by email.
Resigning by email is not a "chump way to quit". It's a very final and low-drama way to quit (if you are friendly and upbeat in your mail, which you always should be). Every employer, myself very much included, would be very happy to get personal, private, advance notice that you're thinking of leaving.
In more higher-level positions, quitting over text may not be suitable. In these cases, face-to-face conversations or resignation letters are usually more appropriate. End your resignation text with professionalism. You want to maintain your reputation, so finish on a respectful and courteous note.
5 steps to resigning without burning bridges
An unsigned email resignation is likely valid if it demonstrates a clear intention to resign, is sent by the employee, and is acknowledged or accepted by the employer. Companies can still require an actual signature as part of their internal policy.
Essentially, there is no difference between resigning and quitting. Resigning is a more formal and professional way of saying "I quit." It is important to leave on good terms with a company because they could be used as a future reference.
Whether you legally need to give 4 weeks' notice depends on your employment contract, award/agreement, and length of service, especially in Australia where the Fair Work Ombudsman sets minimums: you typically need 4 weeks if you've worked over 5 years, but less if you've worked less time, though contracts can specify more, and casuals usually don't need to give notice unless contracted. At worst, your employer might be able to deduct wages for the unworked notice period, but they usually can't force you to work it, and it's generally a contractual/civil matter, not criminal.
Resigning on Monday or Tuesday is for your boss' benefit. Resigning on Friday may deflate his/her weekend. Also, your boss will be in a better business frame of mind on Monday and will be able to use the whole week to begin making plans for handling your business.
7 mistakes to avoid when leaving a job
How to resign from your job gracefully and professionally
Dear [manager's name], I am writing to formally resign from my position as [your job title] at [company name], effective [date—two weeks from today]. After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue new opportunities that offer more potential for professional growth and development.
What not to say in a resignation letter
Quitting a job professionally starts with sending a two weeks' notice email. This formal communication informs your employer of your intended departure date, helps begin the transition process, and preserves your professional reputation.
The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where employers assess a new hire's performance, skills, and cultural fit, while the employee learns the role and decides if the job is right for them; it's a crucial time for observation, feedback, and proving value, often with potential limitations on benefits until the period ends. It's also advice for new hires to "hang in there" for three months to get acclimated and evaluate the job before making big decisions.
The biggest signs you should quit are consistent toxic behavior, zero growth opportunities no matter what you try, work that's actively hurting your physical or mental health, situations where you're being asked to compromise your values, and pay that's way below market with no real path to fix it.
The good news is a background check will not disclose if you've been fired from a job. However, employers can find out if you've been fired through reference checks and, sometimes, word of mouth.
If a face-to-face meeting isn't possible, Skype or a phone call is the next best option. Resigning by email is seen as a discourteous approach. Ask your manager when and how they'd like to communicate your news to the rest of the team. It's a professional courtesy to put them in charge of this decision.
You don't have to give a reason for your resignation. However, if you're resigning because of something your employer did, you should say this in the letter. This will give you evidence if you decide to take legal action against them.
No. Employers cannot refuse a resignation filed with just cause and proper documentation. What if the resignation has no just cause? The employer may claim damages.
Your boss may become upset or angry about your departure. This is often due to the “extra work” your departure creates for them. It is a selfish reaction but you need to be prepared for it. However, it's important to remain professional and respectful, even in the face of negative emotions.
The "7-second resume rule" means recruiters spend only about 7 seconds scanning a resume initially to decide if it's worth a deeper look, making first impressions crucial for grabbing attention with clear formatting, a strong summary, and relevant keywords from the job description. To succeed, focus on clean layouts (ATS-friendly), a concise professional summary, tailored keywords, and bullet points highlighting recent, relevant achievements, ensuring it passes both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and the quick human scan.
Melnick invoked Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' “Five Stages of Grief”: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, as a way to understand why a job loss can be so devastating.