Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

So,

Ive got a job interview coming up and im really hoping that I get it. If I do, what is the etiquette (so to speak) of handing in your notice?

My contract states 8 weeks notice so should I just write a formal letter of resignation and hand it in without saying anything? Or should I mention that Im leaving to my boss face-to-face THEN hand it in a bit later? Or should I do both on the same day?

Are there resignation templates you're meant to use or will any old letter do? Are letters of resignation meant to go to your line manager only or to HR as well?

I dont want to leave work on bad terms so was wondering what people thought was the "nicest" way to leave.

Maria

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

8 weeks!

Mine would be some where along the lins of f**k off i aint workin 8 weeks notice :P

Having actually never resigned my self i cant really be any help, just say i hereby give my notice of 8 weeks and idk say what a "great experince" it was working there.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

I know, long isn't it? :rolleyes: I'll probs shorten it by taking all my remaining leave as well.

Maria

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Write up your formal letter of resignation something along the lines of, "I hereby give my 8 weeks notice of my end of employment, thanks for the opportunity that this role has given me", pop it in an envelope, arrange a meeting with your boss & present it there.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

8 weeks


Good lord, they really stifle their employees from trying to get another job.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

MY last employer was my first employer, so it was really hard to hand my notice in I felt really disloyal. Didnt stop me mind still did it, moved on and couldnt be happier with current employer.

The way I did it was:
Took interview, and recived offer.
Took a letter to my employer with notice of resignation.
He had a quiet word (offered more money and told me to keep my letter)
I refused his offer and left the letter on his desk as he wouldnt take it from my hand.
Phoned the new employer to say I'd handed it in and would accept the offer.

Job done. Then you just have to work there for another 8weeks feeling really left out and like your everymove is been watched. If you do something like I do where its client based then sort your admin stuff out ASAP. They took my PC away from me after 2weeks and then told me not to turn up at all for my last week. (I only had to work a 4week period mind you).

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Mine's 8 weeks too. Something in this climate that I'm not too fussed about!

Don't forget - when you're leaving, stuff like that is always negotiable!

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Oh and in case you dont already know, if your notice period is 8weeks then they have to pay you for 8 weeks UNLESS you agree they dont. So if they say "fine notice accepted but you can go after 4 weeks" say "no you'll work the 8" (unless your new place is happy to let you start early and you want to go). Then if after 4 weeks they say your no longer required accept that and say ok I'll not be coming in for the remainder of my notice period as you have requested, but you'll still be paying me"
So you'll get 4 weeks paid leave, brilliant!

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Staple your letter to their forehead, push an Ice cream up their nose and do a wee in the filing cabinet!

Joking aside, I spoke to my boss recently about dreams and aspirations and was greatly surprised to discover that I was greatly valued. By being honest with my boss, I was told that I would be given an impeccable reference and he added that my gain would be the companies loss, which nearly made me cry. Your boss is human too and if you have had a good working relationship, you may well find that they also want you to excel and find that one top job. Tell them that you are looking to further your career, you may well find that like my boss, they make phone calls and try to find you a promotion. If they can't they will wish you well.

Good luck and go for it.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

It can be difficult, especially if you have a good relationship with your boss. But business is business, and you have to do whats best for you.

Check out http://www.i-resign.com for info & sample letters of resignation.

Dan

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

I hold so much over my work I think I could walk out and not go back and they would just issue my P45 to me.

I won't be so harsh though unless there is a valid reason, I will be handing my notice in for a month on one payday so that I will still be getting a full months pay still and not screw myself over with wages and money.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Oh your need a big bag too, and 1/2 hour in the stationary cupboard...:-dd:lol:

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

8 weeks is that all.

My original contract stipulated 3 months.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

8 weeks is a long time TBH but I guess you wouldn't have a problem shortening that time with you remaining leave like you said Maria.

I too would feel disloyal handing in my notice at my current job as we're looked after quite well here (not your typical public sector organisation) in terms of pay and leave..........but at the end of the day it's up to you to look after yourself.

If I were to hand in my notice I'd talk to my boss about it first, then hand my resignation letter in the same day. I've got a 3 month notice period so I wouldn't feel that guilty as 3 months is a long time to find a replacement, as is 8 weeks in your case.

Good luck! :D

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

To do it properly, as others have said, have a chat with your boss, and back it up in writing the same day. Your notice period starts the day you put it in writing.

The last time I handed my notice in, I sat down in a meeting in which they expected me to "justify my employment" - I didn't. Instead, I clarified why this time I was leaving, told them I had an email already typed up ready to send when I got back to my desk, and that I'd be leaving the premesis immediately after the meeting.

During the conversation, they agreed to pay me for the following 4 months, despite my contract having a 4 week notice period.

After leaving the meeting, I had a ride on the bike in the sun. That was probably the happiest ride I've had. The feeling of freedom was immense!

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

When one of the guys handed in his notice (4 weeks) because of annualised hours he had only 2 weeks notice to work.

If you got 8 weeks i imagine they think they'll replace you in 8 weeks and get you to train them for a week too.

One of the fitters where i work has changed jobs, given 6 weeks notice and guess what? He's not being replaced at all.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

if you do a job where there is any danger that you may take business or anything else with you, sales for instance, you may get taken off the premises the minute you hand your notice in.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

its worth taking into account that if you work the notice instead of taking leave, you should (may) get paid for outstanding holiday entitlement. Alternatively, if pro rata'd your leave taken is more than your entitlement at that point in time, they may reduce your final pay.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

If you're leaving ammicably - just seeking a different opportunity - try and do it calmy (sp) and professionally

You never know when you may come across your manager again and/or need a reference

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

just tell them you thought of leaving 8 weeks ago

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

The last job I was in that was not a contract position I had to give 12 months notice to leave. Anyone guess what my job was?

Maria, just a thought regarding your holidays. It is normal for holidays to be 'issued' in advance of entitlement. Which means you are given the amount of days assuming you will be in employment for the complete year. Normally, if you leave earlier, you will lose x amount of days dependant on the remaining days left in the year. This will be automatically deducted so you may find you do not have as many days as you think you have. Of course you are clever and will have already known all of this.

The written notification of your intention to leave is the recognised method of resignation. That can be as simple as an email. It just has to be documentational. (is that even a word?)

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Thanks for the replies everyone :)

I think I'll do what the majority have suggessted and hand in the letter and have a face-to-face chat the same day. I have quite a good relationship with my boss, shes very nice and very supportive so I can't forsee any problems.

I think they will have to replace me because im the only one who manages research projects in quite a large region so...if I leave without a replacement they'l be pretty screwed so to speak!

Ah I didnt think of that. I guess I'll work it all out depending on the start date of the new job (if I get it mind!!!! I could still fall flat on my face :rolleyes:). Id rather work 4 weeks and have a mini sabbatical in-between :lol:

But we shall see!

:D

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Documentable? :-k

I too was wondering about the holiday thing.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

I accumulate leave at a rate of 2.05 days a month so whatever I have accumulated up until that point I will use it up :)

I think I'll do a hard copy letter rather than a email. In my personal opinion, it feels more professional than an email.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Yes I would agree that you need to do your resignation in paper form. Address it to your manager and she will inform HR as appropriate.
Good luck.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

You've already got this all down, yep would agree with a hard copy letter rather than email too. The letter itself I'd keep short and sweet, something like:

"As discussed earlier today please consider this letter formal notice of my intention to resign from my position at Acme Co. Today being the 1st Marklar in Marklar I anticipate my last day at Acme Co to be the 90th Marklar in Marklar.

Acme Co has been a fantastic home to me for X years and I will miss the work and it's people. Naturally I will offer any assistance I can in the intervening weeks to enable a smooth transition to my replacement and wish Acme Co every success in the future."

blah blah

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Also be aware that when you do hand in your resignation if you are valued, they may ask why etc and if possible and they want to keep you, make a counter offer to stay.

Just be aware of this and be ready for it.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Worked for me :)

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Its the standard IT pay-rise negotiation method........

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Disabling the fire suppression, pouring petrol around the data center and wondering around with a zippo?

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

No, thats the BOFH method :)

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Haha, not a word AFAIK, but it sounds great. It just needs to be "documented" though.....lol

Maria, I'll send you a PM as this stuff is my bread and butter and I can draft you a quick, simple, letter that will allow you to notify your employers of your resignation whilst also ending your employment on the most amicable of grounds.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

When I handed in mine, I called my boss as he was a personal friend and told him of my plan so that it wasnt a surprise when I spoke to him in the office.

I then scheduled a meeting with him as he was my direct manager, I then handed in my formal letter, then that was passed to HR and the details of my holiday were all sorted out.

I then got a form with a questionaire in about my time during their employment. All standard stuff I think.:scratch:

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Assuming that your company wants to keep you, or you're the only one who knows the root passwords or how the system works.

I've certainly used that technique to get a pay rise, but you can't do it too often.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Its not that hard to line up another job so you can present them with the offer letter with your resignation.

Never do it as a bluff

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

+1

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

I can, had to do the same, few years ago now.

My advice is win the lottery stick pencils up your nose and tell everyone what you think of them, :smt033

Alternatively, write a letter that tells them what a great opportunity it was, how much you liked working there and that you look forward to working with them in the future when you have gained experience that will be valuable to them. I tried it and it would have worked if i hadn't upset one of the managers on the way out by telling him what I thought of him and funnily enough they didn't want me back some 6 years later :(

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

Arrange a meeting with your line manager and explain that your leaving, have the letter and hand it to him during the meeting.

Your leaving so any grievances you've had don't really matter anymore, so leave on good terms so you don't burn any bridges, you may never wish to return to the same company, but you never know who else within the company will move to a new employer and become your colleague/boss/supplier/customer.

My last letter was blurb about why I had decided to leave, which in my case was to relocate to be closer to family, followed by

I have secured an offer of employment in the Midlands, which I have accepted, and so must now tender my resignation from <company name>. In accordance with my one month notice period, I will leave <company name> at the end of November 2008.

I would like to thank you and all my colleagues at <company name> for my time here, which I have very much enjoyed. I will do my utmost over the next month to ensure the transition leading up to my departure goes as smoothly as possible, and to provide the necessary knowledge transfer to my colleagues. I would be happy to meet again soon to formulate a plan of action to this end.

I have provided my new employer with your contact details. If you would be so kind as to provide a favourable reference, this would be much appreciated.

I wish you and everyone at <company name> all the best in whatever the future may bring.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

BTW, it doesn't make sense for any employer to make an employee work for them any longer than they want to (most folk can do too much damage!) so if you don't want to work you full notice period, explain that your new employer wanted you to start within a month and you feel that failure to do so may affect your chances, so you have advised that you will negotiate with them regards your notice period. Most employers will let you go after a month, or go half way on the difference, in your case six weeks.

Re: Handing in your notice - etiquette
 

You have not the Job, yet! good luck though