Resignation letter Advice – how to hand in your notice
Unfortunately, when it’s time to leave a job, you can’t embrace your inner diva and storm out the door after announcing that you are quitting like they do in Hollywood! When you’re leaving a job in Northern Ireland, a resignation letter is essential if you hope to get a reference and maintain a good relationship with your soon to be ex-employers.
There is a myriad of reasons for leaving a job. Perhaps you’re trapped beneath a glass ceiling or don’t get on with your manager. A Glassdoor survey of 2,000 UK employees found that 20% had quit a job because of an annoying boss! Even if you find yourself in this situation, you need to create a professionally written letter of resignation.
What to write in a resignation letter?
- A statement of your intention to resign. Include: resignation date and your position.
- Offer support in training and preparing the team for your exit.
- Thank your employer for hiring you and the opportunities you have been given
- Wishes them well in the future of the company
How to format the letter?
Although you will also provide a verbal notice of your resignation, your employer will require a written letter of notice for its records. The good news is, you can keep the letter brief!
Use our downloadable Resignation Letter Template to help you structure your letter.
The good news is, you can keep the letter brief! Just divide it into a basic introduction outlining your intention to leave, a paragraph thanking the company for the opportunity and a conclusion where you offer to help with any necessary transition.
Introduction – “Hi, I’m Leaving”
All you need to include in the opening paragraph is the date of your resignation and your position.
Dear [Name of manager],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my decision to resign from my position as Senior Accountant at Acme Limited. My last day will be January 17, 2018.
In most cases, your last day is 14 days from when you hand the letter to your manager.
Middle Paragraph – “It’s not you, it’s me.”
Believe it or not, you can choose to simply add a quick thank you because there is no requirement to outline your reasons for leaving. However, many employees in Northern Ireland like to provide some kind of justification. Regardless of your reasons, the resignation letter is not the place to air your grievances. If you hate your manager or feel that you’re underpaid or undervalued, keep it to yourself. It is also polite to thank the company.
Thank you for the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the company’s finances for the last 12 years. I have appreciated and enjoyed the chance to [include a few notable job responsibilities], and the many things I’ve learned will help me throughout my career. However, I feel as if it is time for a new challenge.
Final Paragraph – “Goodbye – Do You Need Any Help?”
It is a good idea to state your willingness to help out with the transition if applicable. Again, it is unnecessary to give too many details and important that you don’t over promise!
During the remainder of my time at Acme Limited, I will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition by completing my duties and training the other members of the team. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.
I hope the company continues to enjoy success, and I hope to remain in touch in the future.
Sincerely
[Your Name]
What Happens Next?
First of all, make sure you address it to the right person. In most Northern Ireland companies, especially larger firms, there is an established protocol in place. For example, resignation letters may be handled by a company’s CEO or the head of the department you worked in. There are also cases where you should address it to a company’s head of HR.
Once you have done the deed, resist the urge to ‘dial it in’ for the duration of your employment. If you begin flaunting your notice period by turning up late or under-performing, you can undo years of good service in the eyes of the company. There is also the possibility that you are sent on ‘gardening leave.’ This is the term used to describe the practice of keeping an employee away from the office while they remain on the payroll.
You should use your notice period to complete any tasks you had placed on hold. Since you probably won’t be given any new projects, you’ll do your reputation a world of good by ensuring the remaining ones are completed properly.
Once you hand in your resignation letter, it is not always a case of ‘no turning back.’ If you are a valuable employee, there is every chance that your employer will prepare a counter offer. If you’re leaving because of disagreements with colleagues or employees, it probably won’t make a difference, but if you’re leaving because of an issue with pay or benefits, it could change everything.
Obviously, it is entirely up to you to decide whether extra pay or promotion will keep you at the company. However, if you desire a new challenge with new surroundings, it is probably a mistake to stay where you are. Conversely, you shouldn’t write a resignation letter as a means of gaining leverage in salary/benefits/promotion negotiations. Your employer may call your bluff and leave you in no man’s land!
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Final Tips When Writing Your Resignation Letter
- Remain Positive: If you decide to give a reason for leaving, refrain from criticising anyone at the company.
- Retain Professionalism: If you’re one of the 20% of people who leave a job because of an irritating boss, a resignation letter seems like the perfect place to hit them with both barrels. Instead of getting angry and possibly writing something you regret later, thank the company for everything and ensure you don’t burn your bridges.
- Format Correctly: Just because you’re leaving doesn’t mean you can create a complete mess of a letter. Follow typical letter-writing conventions with proper paragraphs and formatting.
- Cover Your Bases: Carefully read your employment contract before issuing notice of your resignation. The last thing you need is to discover that you’re in breach of contract after sending your resignation letter. While most businesses expect two week’s notice, not every company is the same.
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