Resign honourably in 3 steps

Step 1: Inform your manager  

Once you have decided to leave the company, it is important to inform your manager as soon as possible. It is best to do this during a personal conversation in which you explain why you have taken this decision. But however good your relationship with your employer, a conversation alone is not enough. You must also officially submit your resignation, and you can do this in three ways: you hand in your resignation letter (and have a copy signed for receipt), you send a registered letter, or you do it via a ‘bailiff's writ’.  

Step 2: Make your resignation official via a resignation letter  

As soon as you tell your employer about your resignation, you can ask them to sign your resignation letter for receipt or send the registered letter. A resignation letter is a business document in which you state that you want to terminate the employment contract. You don't have to mention the reason why in this official document. Of course, you include your name, your address, and the name and address of the organisation. The date you submit the letter is also important to mention on your resignation letter, as is the date your notice period officially starts. The length of your notice period is usually set by law and depends on your seniority with your employer. If you have been employed for several years, your notice period can be quite long. If you prefer to leave the organisation as soon as possible, you can of course discuss this with your employer. Once you come to an agreement for the notice period, this can be included in your resignation letter, which both parties must then also sign. 

Step 3: End in beauty 

Once your supervisor and your colleagues are aware of your plans to leave and your notice period has started, it might sometimes be difficult to stay motivated and stay committed every day. Nevertheless, it is important to end your time with the organisation - however long or short it was - in beauty. Try to give your best effort until your last working day. Make clear agreements about which tasks you will take on and which you should pass on to a colleague. If a successor has already been appointed, try to make the handover as smooth as possible by completing a lot of work yourself. Also provide the necessary explanation about the assignments, tasks and projects you will no longer be able to complete yourself.  

Clear your desk on your last working day and empty your desk drawers. Don't leave ‘like a thief in the night', but take some time to say goodbye to your immediate colleagues individually and thank them for their cooperation. If you work in a larger organisation, you can write a farewell e-mail in which you look back on the fine cooperation and say goodbye to all other colleagues. 

It is always a good idea to add colleagues who are not yet in your LinkedIn network.  Finally, thank your supervisor again, and possibly ask if you can list him or her as a reference.  

Now you're all set to explore new horizons. Good luck!

 

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