Quitting a job you hate may improve your mood and give you the chance to pursue new professional opportunities. Knowing how to quit a job while remaining professional can be challenging. Learning how to leave on amicable terms with your supervisor and coworkers may help you maintain those relationships in the future.
A recent survey showed that 80 percent of Great Resignation quitters regret their decision. Though many people left for better work-life balance and mental health, only about half of respondents were satisfied with these things in their new roles.
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.
If you decide to fully disclose burnout as a cause, frame it as a strength. For example, if your burnout was due to a values mismatch, explain the steps you've taken to get clear about your values and how the new position is a better fit.
“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.
You are burned out
Burnout can also lead people to become more pessimistic or indifferent than they have been in the past. If you're feeling a little burned out, then taking a break — either over the weekend or during a vacation — should help, said Dr. Jessi Gold, a psychiatrist at Washington University in St. Louis.
Explain in clear terms what you believe is leading to burnout. Examples include unreasonable deadlines, unfair treatment, and unclear expectations. Morand recommends reminding your boss that you value your job and are being honest in an effort to resolve the burnout.
Therefore, I am resigning to focus on my mental health. I appreciate all of the opportunities you have given me during my time with the company, and I thank you for understanding my situation. If there is anything I can do to help make this transition easier, please don't hesitate to reach out.
So a fear of quitting could be related to a fear of "wasting" sunk costs. It can also be chalked up to a simple fear of change, which many people feel to one degree or another. “Regardless of how we interpret it, it's a natural human tendency to want to keep doing what we're doing,” Dr. Hendriksen says.
Resigning on the last day of your workweek may help you remain calm and focused during the process. For example, if you prefer to dismantle a workspace alone, it may be more helpful to resign later in the day. It can also help you optimize the personnel transition process for a supervisor.
Be upfront and polite about your decision. Give thanks for the opportunity and how it's helped you. But don't feel the need to over-explain. You can say something like: "I can't thank you enough for allowing me to grow my skills here, but, after much thought, I've decided it's time for me to move on.
And, bosses all too often take quitting quite personally. Many bosses will interpret quitting as you abandoning them. In fact, many of my clients have experienced this very occurrence and find it quite traumatic.
The trick to responding is to be honest, but brief—no one needs to know all the details of your new company's awesome perks or just how much more you're making. If there's a reason you can't be totally open—or you just don't want to be—that's OK, but give as much information as you're comfortable with.
If your stress is impacting your health, you may want to resign immediately so you can focus on getting help. Otherwise, giving notice can help preserve your professional reputation. Assess your current situation and decide which option is best for you, then clearly state your last day in your resignation letter.
I am therefore resigning to focus on my mental health. Thank you for all your help and the opportunities you have given me during my time with the company, and thank you for understanding my situation. If there is anything I can do to help make this transition easier, please do not hesitate to reach out.
A common reason good employees leave is due to inefficient or unskilled management. All employees want others to hear and value their opinions, and they can become frustrated if their managers or company leaders are not open to their input.