a good resignation letter

[evedawn]

I'm resigning, (petrified about my new job to be honest but I am going to take the plunge ooooeerrr). - Now there have been alot of things that I don't gree with regarding my current job (organised chaos and they really do not treat staff well!!) but I really do not want to burn my bridges so want to leave on a positive note. At the same time I would like to point out - very diplomatically - why I am leaving (don't want them to think I am leaving on a whim). Also i have a bot of leave owing (3 and a half weeks) which I doubt they will want me to take (it's ony one month notice that I give) but if they decide to pay me is it reasonable to ask for a seperate cheque / cash for this leave pay...I don't want it to get taxed!

[buildersmate]

Forget trying to explain why you are leaving - you never know when you might need help from your former employer.
No, you can't get away with not paying NI/tax on this holiday pay - it is part of earnings and your employer would be operating outside HMRC rules if it paid you gross.

[evedawn]

ok thanks buildersmate for clarifying the leave vs holidat pay aspect

[evedawn]

oh another thing - I'd like to resign today (so that I don't waste an extra day as my new employer wishes me to start ASAP and Imust give a month notice) but my manager isn't in. Should I therefore wait until Monday - or give it in today? Also if my contract says a month notice - could i give four weeks (ie: 28 days ) or must it be a calendar month?

[tamborine]

"I have been offered a position I wish to follow and need to give you notice of cessation of employment by you. I have enjoyed working for you and wish you every success."

They should acknowledge with cheque in full payment of monies owed.

[evedawn]

ah so if its a cheque tamborine is it as Buildersmate says and the tax and NI will be taken off (I am thinking it will be as what builder says is usually spot on)

[tamborine]

yep as BM says....deliver letter now, regardless of manager's holidays.

[bobjugs12]

Dear Boss,

You couldn't organise a p1ss-up in a brewery. I hate you and I hope the company goes bust and you end up working in Mcdonalds. "Do you want to go large with that BigMac meal". You are an abject failure as a human being.

Hugs and Kisses
Eve

Then follow it up with a steaming poo on his desk


(This is a pretty good way of burning your bridges though)

[ttfn]

If you are paid monthly then a calendar month's notice would be appropriate/required. Buildersmate gives sound advice about not including reasons for leaving. I don't know if you will have any sort of 'exit' interview with your boss - if so you could intimate the reasons for your resignation then, but would advise this should be done in a friendly manner. With regard to when you give in your notice, I would phone the new employer and check it is o.k. to wait until Monday to facilitate giving it personally to the boss. Good luck with the new job

[4getmenot]

and your celery stinks!

[bobjugs12]

celery???

[Davethedog]

As much as you want to don't be critical, there is no such thing as subtle, in a resignation letter.

Burnt bridges are very rarely rebuilt.

I think Buildersmate amd Tamborine have the right of it. Also if you go for a leaving drink stay sober and don't stick the knife in.

[bobjugs12]

Dave, where's the fun in that? Get drunk, deck your boss, tell the woman in the HR office what your really think of her dress sense, then drag the guy from accounts that you've always fancied off to the bogs for a 'final farewell'!

[evedawn]

thanks all for advice - i've typed the letter, will give it in on Monday and not mention the celery(it's from a previous serious post that turned hilarious bobjugs - cellery = salary to sum it up). I've kept the letter short, thanked them for the time I spent with them and said I am moving on. OOOEEEER I'm petrified. (of the new job not the resignation). On a leaving do note: I dont "do" leaving do's ...i know most people do but i'm the sort who'd rather say goodbye at the end of a normal days work and just end as normal as posss.

[bobjugs12]

Eve, did you insult him at all in your letter? If not, why not?

[ttfn]

Don't have nightmares evedawn - you will be fine - they want you for the new job so enjoy it.

[evedawn]

nah bobjugs - tempting as it may be - i didn't . Anyway there isn't any reason why I dislike my employers as people- I just don't like the way they run things work wise.

[bobjugs12]

I've already started insulting my management to their faces, and i haven't left here yet

[Addy123]

Builders mate is right, you don't have to give a reason why you're leaving.

Something like:

Dear
I have been succesful in securing a role with (company name). This new role is, I feel the next step in my career and offers me new challenges which I am keen to take.

Please accept this letter/note/e-mail as my formal resignation as of todays date.

I would like to thank (current companies name) for the experience I haved gained whilst working here and wish you all the best for the future
Kind Regards


That's (or something similar is concise and to the point. The HR department should then work out what monies you're owed, holiday pay etc and let you know what to expect. You will have to pay tax however you receive it, sorry it's the law!

As regards things that have led to you leaving, they may carry out some kind of exit interview where you can discuss that. It usually happens on your last day and could be over the phone. Try and avoid being negative and refer to things that you didn't agree with as things that sometimes left you feeling a frustrated?
Ultimately use the positive spin that you are furthering your career though because if you couldn't change things whilst you where there, all you can do is make them aware of them and it's for them to take on board and act on it.

[kaw69]

15 years ago I took on a job which looked fantastic, pay was excellent, prospects for future were great so I went for it, unfortunately
Reaity set in from day 1, excessively overworked constantly harassed etc.
If it wasn`t for the really good pay I would have ditched it from day 1
Looked for alternative employment but had to wait nearly 3 years to find anything likeable and no where near salary wise.
But because I had made so much money being miserable in my job I now found that I could choose a job that I wanted at a salary that I could fix.
Being absolutely bullied from the start made me resolute to overcome this and use it to my advantage
1. I got paid what I wanted for the position (bullying them) it rubs off (the good points)
and I was the only person (out of about 200) to get a reference from this ogre but I did my job served my 2 weeks notice and left not saying a word.
I am still in the same line of business as my former boss and he swings a lot of weight in the community and a lot of business has come my way.
So do not *** off your old boss who knows where it might lead.
IN THE GUTTER if I had not played savey.

[maggie21]

you don't have to give a detailed explanation.have a look at theses templates to give you an idea.

http://www.i-resign.com/uk/letters/letters.asp