Role of HR in resignation: They conduct the exit interviews to understand the reason for their departure and inform them of the rights and benefits they are entitled to. At the same time, they need to inform employees how their last paycheck will be processed and the notice period details.
Should I talk to HR before quitting? Absolutely yes. While your choice to quit is completely yours alone, you should consider reaching out to HR before taking action to ensure your safety. Human resource representatives usually act as mediators between employees and supervisors.
I am writing to formally acknowledge and accept your letter of resignation, received on [Date] for the [Job Title] position at [Company], effective [last working date]. [Use this section to express your gratitude and appreciation for the contributions the employee has made to the company.
Do address it to your manager – You don't need to address your resignation letter to the owner or CEO – addressing it to your line manager is fine as this is the person who will receive the letter and initiate your leaving process. Keep it formal by addressing it to “Dear”, even if you're on close terms.
Strictly speaking, this is not legally possible. The resignation decision is the employee's decision alone. An employer can not refuse to accept it. This is no different to dismissal being the employer's decision, the employee can not refuse to accept that they have been dismissed.
Depending on their emotional state at the time of your conversation, your manager may become immediately upset, or even furious that you are resigning. They may feel a sense of betrayal, as well as anxiety about how they will manage the workload without you.
Escalate the matter: If your employer is still not accepting your resignation or providing a relieving letter, you can escalate the matter to the HR department or higher authorities in the company. You can also approach a labour lawyer for legal advice.
Acceptance of a resignation tendered by an employee is necessary to make the resignation effective. No such acceptance, however, was shown in the instant case.
Outline the reasons why you're leaving
Once you've said, “I quit,” it's time to tell them why. It's best to really cleanly list out your decision for leaving. It could also be a good time for constructive feedback, especially if your manager asks for any feedback in the conversation.
The best-case scenario—and honestly, the most common reaction—is that your boss will accept your resignation with understanding and sincere congratulations. Your manager will be happy to see that you're advancing your career and moving on to something bigger and better.
Talk to your manager first
If you're able, talk to your manager in person or over the phone about your decision to resign from your position before you submit your letter. This is a professional courtesy to your manager so they're the first to know and won't be caught off guard by your resignation letter or email.
Plus, know that HR isn't required to keep what you tell them confidential. You can ask for confidentiality, but if they judge that what you've said needs to be shared in order to address a problem, their job obligates them to do that.
Leaving a job can be an emotional experience for you and your boss. When you tell your supervisor you're quitting, you are essentially stating that you are firing him as your boss. He may feel shocked, angry, or defensive. He may have to answer to a superior about why you decided to leave.
The negative feelings the brain can cycle through after quitting can be significant, with shame, guilt, fear and a sense of failure all common reactions. Two common responses are spiralling anxiety over whether quitting is the right decision, or freezing with fear at the thought of moving forward into an unknown future ...
In summary, your employer cannot refuse your resignation unless you haven't provided the right amount of notice that is detailed in your employment contract. Even then, if you have a good relationship with your manager, a negotiation is possible about your final date.
If your boss has not accepted your resignation, double-check that you are not violating a contract of employment. If you are, begin taking steps to get out of it. If you are not contractually bound, you can move forward with making your resignation stick. Follow a script.
If you plan to resign from your current position, it's important to end your employment positively by emailing a resignation letter. This message can allow you to express your gratitude to your current employer and show them you appreciated their support and guidance.
Assuming you manage your departure gracefully, you absolutely shouldn't feel guilty. But guilt is a natural feeling that many people have when leaving an employer, especially if the company's been great to you. And even though you shouldn't feel bad, our brains are great at coming up with reasons that you should.
There is obviously nothing wrong with feeling guilty about leaving your job. In fact, it's a good sign that you value the company you work for and people you work with. Most people don't want to leave their colleagues in the lurch – particularly if they and your company have been good to you.
Is quitting really going to fix burnout? Well, the short answer is no. Uncertainty about if our decision to quit will work out can cause burnout just as much as a rough work schedule can, which is why my first instinct here is to say “no.”
“I recently learned about this term called quiet quitting, where you're not outright quitting your job but you're quitting the idea of going above and beyond,” Khan says. “You're still performing your duties, but you're no longer subscribing to the hustle-culture mentality that work has to be your life.