Quitting a job can be stressful for many reasons. One common concern is whether your employer will be upset or angry when you resign. It’s normal to worry about burning bridges or harming your professional relationships. However, in most cases, your manager and coworkers will understand that employees come and go. Here are some quick answers on what to expect if you quit your job:
– Will my boss be mad when I quit? Maybe, but probably not for long. Your manager may be frustrated or disappointed to lose you as an employee, but anger is less common. Focus on giving proper notice and transitioning your work.
– Will my coworkers be upset if I resign? Possibly, especially if you were close with your team. But remember that resignations are common in most workplaces. Your coworkers probably understand you need to do what’s best for your career.
– Should I be worried about my employer retaliating if I quit? Retaliation is illegal. As long as you resign professionally, following company policies, your employer can’t punish you.
– How can I quit my job smoothly? Give at least two weeks notice, preferably in writing. Offer to train replacements and tie up any loose ends on projects. This will maintain goodwill.
– How do I tell my boss I’m quitting? Schedule a meeting to resign in person if possible. Be polite but direct, thanking them for the opportunities you were given. Explain why you are leaving without badmouthing the company.
When and how to tell your boss you’re quitting
Telling your boss you’re quitting your job can be an uncomfortable conversation. Here are some tips on the best way to resign gracefully:
Give proper notice
The standard notice period is at least two weeks, though one month is better for more senior roles. Check your contract and company policy. Giving notice allows your employer to prepare for your departure.
Schedule a meeting
Request a private meeting with your direct supervisor. Do not announce your resignation publicly or via email or text. Resigning should be done in person.
Have a speech planned
Explain concisely that you are resigning, when your last day will be, and thank them for the opportunities you were given. Do not badmouth the company or make things personal.
Be positive
Emphasize you enjoyed working for the company but an opportunity came along that you could not turn down. Whether true or not, avoid saying you are miserable or desperate to leave.
Offer to help transition
Propose training a replacement and preparing thorough handover notes. Offer to finish important projects or tie up loose ends. This smooths the transition.
Get contact details
Ask about maintaining contact details of colleagues you want to keep in touch with. Also ask when you can expect your final pay and employment references.
Express gratitude
As awkward as it may be, thank your boss sincerely for the opportunities and experience you gained working for them. Maintain professionalism.
How to Know If Your Boss Is Mad You Quit
When you resign from a job, how can you tell if your boss is actually angry versus just disappointed to see you go? Here are some signs:
– Difficulty making eye contact – If your boss seems unwilling to look you in the eye, it could signal repressed anger.
– Curt or blunt responses – One-word answers, a flat “okay” or stony silence means your boss is likely upset.
– No well wishes – If your boss doesn’t wish you well or say they are sorry to see you go, they may be mad.
– Body language – Crossed arms, fidgeting, or turning away can betray anger.
– Focus on logistics – Wanting to immediately discuss transition plans may mean anger over the situation itself.
– Lack of questions – Little curiosity about your new role or reasons for leaving may equal resentment.
– Veiled disappointment – Comments like “surprised to hear you’re abandoning ship” or “guess the team doesn’t matter to you” suggest irritation.
– Irritability – Snapping over minor issues or mistakes may indicate broader anger about your quitting.
– Passive aggression – Backhanded compliments and insincere well wishes could mean suppressed anger.
How to Professionally Quit a Job
Quitting a job requires tact and care to avoid burning bridges. Here are some tips:
Give Adequate Notice
– Provide at least two weeks’ notice, ideally more for senior roles
– Confirm company policy – some require 30 days
Resign in Person
– Meet privately with your direct manager
– Email is unprofessional for resignations
Be Positive
– Emphasize you enjoyed working there but a new opportunity came up
– Do not badmouth the company or make things personal
Have a Transition Plan
– Offer to train your replacement and complete unfinished projects
– Provide all passwords, files, and notes to ensure a smooth handoff
Show Gratitude
– Thank your boss and the company sincerely for the opportunities
– Maintain professionalism even if you had grievances
Get Contact Details
– Ask about staying in touch with colleagues
– Confirm when you will receive your final paycheck
Close Out Smoothly
– Work hard until your last day
– Say proper goodbyes to colleagues
– Return any company property like badges or keys
How Much Notice Should You Give When Quitting?
The amount of notice you should provide when quitting a job depends on the following factors:
Your role and seniority – Entry-level employees can give 1-2 weeks. For mid-level roles, 2-4 weeks is typical. Senior executives should give 4+ weeks.
Company policy – Review your employee handbook. Some companies mandate notice periods, e.g. 30 days.
Industry standards – Some sectors expect more notice – healthcare and education often need 4+ weeks.
Length of employment – After many years at a company, consider an extra week or two of notice as a courtesy.
Transition needs – Will an extensive hiring and training process be required to replace you? Additional notice can be prudent.
Current projects – Are you halfway through a major initiative? Staying longer to finish demonstrates professionalism.
Goodwill – More notice than required preserves your reputation and relationships, leaving things on a positive note.
Legal issues – In contract work, check agreements – non-competes may dictate notice terms.
While 1-2 weeks is often standard, assess the above considerations. More notice is always better to maintain goodwill with an employer.
Is It Bad to Quit Without Notice?
Quitting a job without giving notice is generally inadvisable for the following reasons:
Hurts professional reputation – Leaving an employer unexpectedly reflects poorly on your reliability and professionalism.
Can burn bridges – Your managers and colleagues will see the abrupt departure as unprofessional or deliberately disrespectful.
May be unethical – Knowingly leaving your employer in the lurch violates ethics and basic courtesy.
Bad references – A former employer may decline to give references if you left them high and dry.
Ineligible for rehire – You likely lose the chance to ever be rehired if you quit unexpectedly.
No transition help – Without your knowledge transfer, projects may be disrupted or delayed.
Financial costs – Forfeiting unused vacation time and paid leave can be costly.
May violate contract – Employment contracts may require you give a certain notice period when leaving.
While there are rare cases where giving no notice is understandable, in general it carries meaningful professional risks and should be avoided.
Reasons Not to Give 2 Weeks Notice When Quitting a Job
While standard, there are some reasons you may not want or be able to provide a full two weeks notice when quitting a job:
– The company treated you unethically or illegally. You do not owe notice to an abusive employer.
– You experienced harassment or discrimination. An unhealthy work environment justifies quick resignation.
– You fear retaliation after resigning. If your employer seems vindictive, leaving ASAP may be wise.
– The job significantly worsens your mental health. Remaining those final weeks may be untenable.
– You have major conflicts with your boss/team. Lingering for weeks can worsen existing tensions.
– A urgent opportunity arose that can’t wait. Some short-notice chances are worth grabbing.
– You are moving and need to relocate immediately. Major life events can force quick transitions.
– You are at risk of being suddenly terminated. Jumping ahead of their timeline allows control of the narrative.
– The company is unstable or going under. Giving notice may backfire if they fold before you depart.
While these cases are unusual, personal safety and health should take priority over standard etiquette.
How Much Notice Is Too Much Notice?
While more notice upon resigning is generally better, is there such a thing as too much notice?
Four to six weeks is typically appreciated by employers and allows an orderly transition. Beyond this, extra notice can become problematic. Consider:
– Excessive notice like three months can seem presumptuous, as if you overestimate your importance. Two months is often the upper limit before notice feels pompous.
– With very long notice periods, employers may wish you would leave sooner rather than lingering for months.
– You become a “lame duck” – largely ignored and excluded from important decisions since you won’t be around.
– Lingering for many additional weeks can hurt morale and be uncomfortable if others know you have one foot out the door.
– Excessive notice may signal lack of confidence in your decision or failure to take control.
– New job offers may not want to wait months for your start date. At a certain point, extended notice hurts all parties.
Aim to balance giving your employer adequate transition time without overplaying your importance or dragging out the process. Four to six weeks is ideal for most roles.
Quitting Without Another Job Lined Up
Quitting a job before lining up your next opportunity can be risky but may be necessary if:
– The job is significantly damaging your mental or physical health.
– Remaining prevents you from properly searching for and interviewing for new roles.
– You can afford a period of unemployment thanks to savings or a working spouse/partner.
– You qualify for unemployment benefits as a temporary stopgap.
– You need to relocate or address family issues which preclude working presently.
– You have been planning a sabbatical or break from the workforce.
– You aim to switch industries and need extensive retraining or education.
– You hope to switch to freelance/contract work but need time to build your portfolio and client base.
– You plan to start your own business which requires focus and preparation before launch.
While financially risky, strategic unemployment can provide freedom to chart a new career course. Take time to plan finances, polish your resume, practice interviewing, and activate your network before resigning.
Can You Get Unemployment If You Quit Your Job?
You typically cannot collect unemployment benefits if you voluntarily quit your job. However, there are exceptions:
Constructive discharge – When an employer makes work conditions intolerable, forcing you to quit, you may still qualify.
Domestic violence – Quitting due to domestic abuse may be covered in some states.
Family care – Quitting to care for an ill family member may qualify you.
Military spouse transfers – Relocating for your spouse’s military orders often allows benefits.
Significant pay cuts – Quitting after your pay is lowered by 25%+ can sometimes permit benefits.
You must prove the circumstances were out of your control and that you made reasonable efforts to maintain employment. Simply being dissatisfied with your job or boss is unlikely to merit compensation. Be sure to clearly document your reasons for resigning.
Best Practices When Giving Two Weeks Notice
When providing your employer with two weeks notice as part of resigning professionally, consider these best practices:
– Give notice in person in a one-on-one meeting with your direct supervisor. Email should only be a follow up.
– Express gratitude and positive feelings about your employment experience. Do not badmouth the company.
– Be prepared to transition your ongoing work by documenting processes, training others, and finishing urgent projects.
– Maintain consistent performance until the end. Do not check out early or phone it in.
– Get clarity on final pay, payout of unused vacation, references, extending insurance, 401k rollovers, etc.
– Offer to remain available by phone or email for questions that arise after your last day.
– Return all company property like laptops, security badges, and keys on or before the final day.
– Say proper goodbyes to colleagues and contacts, leaving them your personal email to stay in touch.
– If others will remain on your team, assure them things will be fine after your departure.
– Double check there are no non-competes or other agreements that could limit your work elsewhere.
Giving notice professionally ensures things end on a polite and positive note.
Leaving a Job You Just Started
Quitting a job soon after starting can burn bridges. Consider:
– Give at least one month’s notice, with apologies and gratitude for the opportunity.
– Provide a reasonable explanation like an unexpected family/personal issue arose. Do not blame the company.
– Offer to help document processes and work completed. Do not leave projects in the lurch.
– For small companies where hiring is difficult, consider an even longer notice period.
– Expect the employer will not provide a reference later since you did not stay long.
– Reflect seriously on why the role was not a fit, and be cautious about jumping ship quickly again soon.
– Frame the short tenure as seeking a better alignment, not dissatisfaction with the employer.
– Be judicious in future interviews about how you discuss this brief stint. Focus on the positive.
– Consider omitting very short employments from your resume if they raise red flags.
While sometimes necessary, leaving shortly after starting can be tricky to navigate professionally. Handle the transition with care and grace.
Conclusion
Quitting a job can be stressful even when it is the best move for your career. Following proper resignation etiquette eases the transition. Give adequate notice, typically at least two weeks. Resign respectfully in person and express gratitude. Offer to wrap up projects and train replacements. This maintains positive relationships with colleagues and managers, protecting your reputation. While quitting is never easy, being professional and thoughtful sets you up for success in your exciting next chapter.