Writing a Letter of Resignation
Stay Cool when Writing Your Letter of Resignation
Keeping your reasons and other unnecessary statements out of your letter of
resignation is especially wise, if you're leaving under less than desirable circumstances.
While you may feel compelled to defend yourself, voice your opinion or settle
scores, it's probably not a good idea, particularly in writing. A simple, "I
resign..." statement is powerful enough on its own. (President Richard Nixon's letter
of resignation demonstrates this point well.)
Don't jeopardize termination benefits and any hope of a decent reference, just
to blow off steam. Burning your bridges might bite you down the road too, as
you never know who your next boss will be.
If you reasonably believe that you have a legal case, then take it to court.
Don't first turn the tables against you, by documenting potentially libelous
accusations in your letter of resignation—tell it to your
attorney instead.
Remember, your employer requires and files your letter of resignation for exactly
that reason: in case there's a legal problem down the road. Never commit in writing
what you may later regret!
This letter
of resignation unnecessarily expresses sorrow, and the middle paragraph
comes off like a snotty kid trying to write like an adult. It's supposed
to be a discreet letter of resignation, but it's actually more along the
lines of vague. It would be much more discreet without the "sorrow" and "unsaid" stuff.
The writer might have thought that she was making her reasons perfectly clear
to the reader, but she actually left herself wide open for interpretation
issues down the road, when potential employers contact her former employer
during background checks. |
Consider the Audience for Your Letter of Resignation
If you're leaving under good circumstances and feel that you owe more than just
a "one-liner" letter of resignation, then it might be okay to write
more; but, resist the temptation to write too much and keep the intended audience
in mind.
For example, it's nice to express your gratitude to your colleagues, but they
probably won't even see your letter of resignation. It's only for management
and HR personnel to read, and it would be unethical of them to "distribute" it.
If you wish to thank your colleagues, then take them out to lunch or distribute
thank-you cards or notes instead.
If you wish to thank management for the opportunities they gave you, then it
might be okay to include a brief
statement of gratitude in your letter of resignation; but, remember, your "gratitude" might
be used against you, should you later sue your former employer. So, it might
be a better idea to distribute thank-you cards or notes instead, as management
probably won't place them in your personnel file to accompany your letter of
resignation.
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