How to resign gracefully

Jul 07, 2009

MY friend did the unthinkable. As soon as she tendered in her resignation, she wrote rude emails to her supervisors and everyone she had issues with. And while it is normally a policy to tender in a resignation about a month in advance, hers was with imme

CAREER

By Rebecca Harshbarger


MY friend did the unthinkable. As soon as she tendered in her resignation, she wrote rude emails to her supervisors and everyone she had issues with. And while it is normally a policy to tender in a resignation about a month in advance, hers was with immediate effective.

Getting a new job can be a cause for celebration, signaling advancement in career or personal development. However, many people overlook one critical aspect in their transition; how to resign gracefully.

According to Alfred Kakama, the human resource manager of Uganda Management Institute, workers resign to take up another job, or when faced with a challenge such as relocating to another country.

Although a worker might be more excited or focused on what is ahead, it is important that they plan their exit gracefully. One may consider returning to the company sometime, or need a recommendation.
Kakama says the first step is to meet with one’s immediate supervisor and explain the motive for leaving.

Under the Employment Act, workers are supposed to give a 15-day notice of termination if they have been working for less than a year. If they have worked between one and five years, they need to give a month’s notice. Between five and 10 years, an employee should notify their boss two months in advance. After 10 years, three months is required. However, individual organisations have their own culture for dealing with new and resigning staff.

According to Lydia Ndagire, the director of human resources and organisational development at Save the Children, workers are often not transparent about their reasons for leaving.

  • Discuss your rights towards pension and any other benefits you accrued by working at the company. In some companies, one’s supervisor might hold an exit interview to help management assess strengths and weaknesses at the workplace.

  • Reflect on the negative and positive aspects of your former job. Do not be ashamed of taking on a new position.

  • Ask for a letter of recommendation to put on file. It might be useful in future.

  • If you need to leave sooner, ask if you can have a shorter notice period.

  • (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});