Can I resign remotely?

Anonymous

September 29,2023 at 5:34PM UTC

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Can I resign remotely?

It's Friday afternoon and I just accepted a great new job offer from another company. I want to give notice to my current employer on Monday, but my boss will be away on a work trip all week. I want to start my two-week notice period as soon as possible versus waiting an extra week until he returns and telling him in our standing in-office Monday meeting. There would be no other reason to wait other than to be polite to a good boss, but I'm not sure if it even matters. Would resigning this Monday by virtual meeting be ok? I won't need the extra week to wrap up my work on the current job. My new employer is willing to be flexible on start date, so there is no issue there. Also, there's no chance I will get an offer to stay that I would accept - this is a much bigger job with significantly more pay. And my team would not be burdened by me leaving in two weeks versus three.

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AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 6:08PM UTC
Congratulations! The fact that you're actually worried about this tells me you're an amazing employee. It is not your fault that your offer came in today, nor is your bosses' that he's on vacation. With that said, I feel you should resign remotely and explain why you chose to do it that way. I wouldn't put my life on hold. Would he? Probably not. You're doing nothing wrong by putting your own interests first, and two weeks notice is not mandatory. So resign remotely and get on your fabulous new life!
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 6:10PM UTC
You said you've got a "good boss"... Why not tell him today? Why not message him or her and ask to speak with them personally? I am not a fan of email resignations... It's kind of a lousy way to turn in professional notice
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 6:12PM UTC
I agree that she should let him know today. However, email resignations are sometimes necessary as in this situation. No need to make her feel guilty.
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 6:25PM UTC
to clarify, I said I would do it via virtual meeting, not an email.
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 6:13PM UTC
Absolutely yes, quite common nowadays. I've done it this way as well as other employees in our org. And congrats!
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 6:17PM UTC
Congratulations! What about emailing him today with a happy to connect Monday in our virtual meeting?
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 7:19PM UTC
Congratulations, I agree with the virtual meeting on Monday. Even if it has to be after-hours.
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 7:27PM UTC
Congratulations!! Love the advice in this thread.
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 7:47PM UTC
I would definitely give Notice today.
Wooohoooool!!!!!!!!!
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 8:11PM UTC
You can certainly resign remotely, but if you like your current boss and/or appreciate this connection:
1)Make the covering email very personal and gracious (This is hard news to convey to a great manager but I’ve accepted a new position and will be resigning from my job as (Title) at (Company), effective (date.) I’ve learned so much and will always be grateful for your leadership, please let me know if I can be helpful to you going forward, my formal resignation letter is attached) and
2)Attach a brief formal resignation letter.
3)If your manager has a superior, you can also resign to that person and/or HR if available, meeting with them and providing a brief formal resignation letter.
4)If you have a strong relationship with your current boss, take him out for a drink or meal sometime following your resignation.
Balanced372207September 30,2023 at 12:49PM UTC
This advice is wonderful.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 12:51PM UTC
This is terrific advice across the board. I’ve been the manager in this situation and would have wildly preferred to receive an email than an ominous meeting request during one of my rarely taken vacations.
rgstaffing@bellsouth.netSeptember 30,2023 at 1:30PM UTC
lovely
AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 9:19PM UTC
I think it is fine to send in an email as you should send written resignation anyways (at least that is how I view the process). Go ahead and send it ASAP and start your close out of this job and good luck in your new role.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 12:13PM UTC
Would you want to be fired remotely? Have integrity and do the right thing.
Lorraine HerreraSeptember 30,2023 at 12:24PM UTC
The right thing is to do what benefits the OP. Jobs don’t give you any notice when they will let you go. Also, I was let go remotely once, is something companies definitely do too.
rgstaffing@bellsouth.netSeptember 30,2023 at 1:29PM UTC
This is not about what companies will do. It is about you giving an appropriate resignation. If the boss is going to be away for a week, go ahead and email him your resignation. Don't get involved in "well they would do it to you" and all that nonsense. This is about you resigning appropriate and under the circumstances, this is the right way to do it.
Lorraine HerreraSeptember 30,2023 at 6:28PM UTC
Nobody is suggesting not to do an appropriate resignation. Read the comment to the one we were replaying, was telling them they don’t have integrity of they do it remotely. Your suggestion of email would also be shameful for this person, when is a perfectly appropriate form of communication. On the other side, what companies do does matter, we have been convinced we have to sacrifice everything, even when we are almost out the door, when companies see people as disposable. That mentality of what is “appropriate” keeps many employees in the wrong places accepting all kind of mistreatments. We can be professionals and at the same time see our own value, both things can coexist.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 6:41PM UTC
The finger-pointing isn't helpful and just because some people do the wrong thing doesn't mean we should. If everyone acts horribly then things just get worse. I don't let my own morals and integrity be lowered by others.
Lorraine HerreraSeptember 30,2023 at 11:35PM UTC
Sending a two weeks notice by email is not inmoral or in any way shows the person has no integrity. Actually, most things should be done by email in today’s corporate world. The employee doesn’t have a way to control the timeline when they get the other position or if the boss will be available. Sometimes the person can benefit from sticking to the planned date because they need some rest or to handle some stuff for a fresh start. Each circumstance is different. If the OP was asking to do something unprofessional, I wouldn’t agree, but sending a letter through email is the most normal thing to do at a corporate level. Is the second time their integrity is questioned just in this group of comments, that is finger-pointing. A person has the right to also plan in their career and email communication is the new way to preserve written evidence anyway.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 11:44PM UTC
Exactly. Better to give 2w via email (boss on PTO?) than to wait a week to see in person and give a week notice.
Even if I said in person I was leaving, I'd follow up with an email
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 3:07PM UTC
Companies don't care about you. When I had an accident, out for a month and returned: the SAME DAY I was let go by my boss.
Do what is right for you. Be polite and professional (even if they don't deserve it) and move on
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 12:18PM UTC
Employers will can people remotely.
I’d say go ahead and do it.
Be polite and do a formal email / in writing cc HR on your final day and be done with it.
as long as you are tactful and respectful - remote or in person doesn’t matter IMHO
Lorraine HerreraSeptember 30,2023 at 12:25PM UTC
You can send it by e-mail. A two weeks notice doesn’t have to be extensive or detailed. I think is better than ambush him in a meeting anyway. If he wants to have a meeting to discuss after, he would ask for it.
Mommy at theunpopularmom.comSeptember 30,2023 at 12:47PM UTC
good info, I was fired by sticky note! The UnPopular Mom - A PLACE FOR MOMS BY MOMS AND ABOUT MOMS
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 12:48PM UTC
"Good day XXX,
I would have preferred to have had a conversation with you in-person beforehand, however due to other work commitments that don't allow us to be in the same town at this moment, I have resorted to sending an email.
Thank you for the opportunity afforded to me over the past XXX years/ months, and I have grown well under your leadership.
At this juncture in my career, I was offered an opportunity that I believe aligns with where I want to be in my career, and they need me to start on XXX. To that end, please accept this as my two week resignation notice, effective XXX.
Regards,
XXX"
Be straight, firm and nice. All the best.
(I resigned 2 weeks ago via email, had a chat with him a week ago, and we all good. So you will be fine too.)
rgstaffing@bellsouth.netSeptember 30,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
I think this is a very kind and appropriate resignation.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 11:39PM UTC
Wonderful letter!!
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 12:32PM UTC
Too long-no need to justify
AnonymousOctober 3,2023 at 8:32PM UTC
True.. no need to. But it's courteous to.
LynneSeptember 30,2023 at 1:04PM UTC
Congratulations on your new job. That is fantastic. Before you do anything I would make sure you get all of your personal items out of the office in case they do not want you to work two weeks notice . if you were able to reach your boss by phone do so, it’s not as if he’s on vacation he’s on a work trip. You can send him an email even on a Saturday if you were able to connect that way and say I’d like to speak with you as soon as possible. Please let me know what a good time would be to chat . if you don’t hear anything before Monday find out if anybody knows how to reach him , and again this is after you’ve retrieved all of your personal items. If reaching him by phone is not possible send him an email resignation letter -again there are many examples in the comments that are perfect. Make sure that you have received your last paycheck.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 1:05PM UTC
I’ve actually done this before as my direct manager was on PTO when I needed to resign. Email your direct manager and cc their manager for visibility. You don’t need to be overly detailed in your resignation just share you’re leaving on whatever date and wish them well.
Never tell anyone where you’re going. I don’t care how cool you may be. If asked, say you don’t want to jinx anything.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 1:48PM UTC
Do not tell them where you are going!!!!
LMDOctober 1,2023 at 8:21PM UTC
Why not share the new employer information? Would that not come out if the information is updated on LinkedIn?
Christine MSeptember 30,2023 at 2:31PM UTC
Of course. I was on vacation and the day I returned I gave my two weeks notice by email.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 3:02PM UTC
I gave my notice by email as my boss was in Europe.I got lucky. He would have cussed me out for leaving although he hated me for being a woman.
AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 5:22PM UTC
Give a professional notice. I would suggest emailing your manager and letting them know that you were recruited away for a role that moves your career forward and that you would like to speak to him directly after that email to work out your exit and communicating this to the team in the way that he prefers. Then let him respond and go from there.
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 5:22AM UTC
Send a copy to HR while addressing it to your boss. It should mention the two-week notice start date as Monday. You can explain later to your boss.
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 10:40AM UTC
You don't need to cc yourself! It'll be in Sent folder
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 12:23PM UTC
All I can say is that you don't want to burn bridges.
I would try to stay and tell your boss or someone in mangement in person that you are not coming back to work.
Yet, this is up to you. I wouldn't tell anyone that you got another position.
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 12:39PM UTC
Hello,
Go TODAY, NOW, remove all personal items and THEN resign. There is a 99.9% reasonable possibility that they will want you to leave immediately. You stated there is nothing else for you to do at this job. They might see it that way also.
Once you have removed your personal items, then give notice with a "thank you for the opportunity to work with you, your last day, best regards and your name. At that point, once your technically resigned, you're done. Say good byes for the next week or days, depending IF they allow you to stay. Some places do not. Good luck!
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 12:53PM UTC
We are hired through virtual interviews , so resigning virtually is just as professional. Obviously following up with an email will be a good idea to formalize your resignation . Congratulations on a new job.
ismail najjarOctober 1,2023 at 1:34PM UTC
yes you can as long as you consider a notice period and all other employment conditions
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 1:56PM UTC
Congratulations on your new position. Business has changed over the years, and we are now operating in a digital world. I think it's perfectly fine to send your manager an email resignation letter copying HR with your two weeks notice. Do not include information on where you are going. Just say you got another opportunity and you appreciate the time you spent at the current job and leave it at that. Best of luck to you!
Donna Mallory MerzOctober 1,2023 at 1:57PM UTC
I would email also
AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 2:30PM UTC
email by letter and follow up by call.
misskelleypOctober 1,2023 at 5:16PM UTC
I think if it was you employer giving you notice they would feel free to do so virtually, so I think it's fine for you to do so. You say he's been a good boss, so online with your camera on is a good substitute. Best of luck to you.
LMDOctober 1,2023 at 8:16PM UTC
Congratulations on this new opportunity.
Thinking of the bigger picture - my suggestion is to give a courtesy call to your boss first thanking your boss for your current role and that you've accepted a new position then follow-up with the email resignation.
This allows for your boss not to be blindsided and leaves you in a positive light.This suggestion is to help you not burn bridges but also allows for the door to remain open should things not work out in your new role, you will have a contact to reach out to if you need employment again in the future.
Big thing is - don't burn bridges and don't take for granted you will like your new job because sometimes people regret leaving their current role since they think the grass is greener on the other side.
Good luck!!
Liz MilneOctober 2,2023 at 2:54AM UTC
if your new boss is willing to wait, give your old boss the extra time - you say he's a good boss, so why not?
Bradford McCormickOctober 2,2023 at 5:54AM UTC
If you are concernaed about possiby being materiallly harmed like maybe your old employer causing you to lose your new job, you have to do what you have to including maybe consulting a lawyer.
But otherwise I can't see a problem. In my last job it ws the other way: A bunch of us worked reomtely (actually, on opposite sides of the Atlantic ocean). Maybe 9am we got an emsil message that a meeting was scheduled for 9:30. Surprise; what's up? We wre all told on the Zoom call that our employment had been terminated in a reduction in force (the company was not hurting for money). I was entirely surprised. It all happened remotely. And from then on out I had no in person contact with anybody. Forms to sign came by email and I returned them by email. I did haveto send my personal computer back (FedEx), although I forgot the power chord and they apparently didn't care. They didn't collect my badge (I hope they disabled it). We are living in the digital age.
AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 3:44PM UTC
Would it be possible to give your boss a call and give him a heads up? You mentioned he is on a work trip rather than a vacation so I would reach out and let him know.
AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 5:43PM UTC
I work remotely and have resigned remotely twice. I was asked to return my laptop. I said i am happy to as soon as you send me a prepaid label. (I'm not paying for shipping!) they never did, so I never did. The same thing the second time. the first computer was nice. I reformatted it and gave it to my son to use for grad school. The second one was a POS and I'm pretty they didn't really want it back. However, my old boss asked for it a couple of times and i said I was happy to send it (or have someone pick it up) I was only 30 minutes from an office), but nothing ever happened and I still have it as well. Honestly, If the company cant even manage these simple tasks, there's no wonder they lose talent.
AnonymousOctober 4,2023 at 6:33PM UTC
As a side note, not all companies are set up to send a prepaid label, and all would reimburse you for the shipping. If I were dealing with an employee who resigned and then acted that difficult I would tick the "do not rehire" box when doing the termination paperwork. Then, if we're ever called to check references, and are asked if you are eligible for rehire the answer would be no. As an HR practitioner, that's a red flag when I'm on the receiving end....
AnonymousOctober 4,2023 at 7:46PM UTC
Agreed. Keeping company laptops on such a petty premise sounds sketchy as heck.
AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 5:56PM UTC
Still waiting for a label... not refusing to return, just not willing to layout my cash for the label.
AnonymousOctober 6,2023 at 12:27PM UTC
So does reformatting it. sometimes companies arent great about the process to get them back. (In my case they keep saying il get directions to send it). Its not mine to do anything with.
AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 5:55PM UTC
That wasnt the case at all.... both of these companies muti-million dollar organizations and fairly evolved. Working with folks across the country was more the rule than the exception. And you are *assuming* I would be reimbursed. Based on my experience with these companies, their questionable accounting practices and treatment of employees I was somewhat leery of being reimbursed.
I was not holding their computers hostage, all I asked was that I be sent a prepaid label, so I didn't have to layout the $$ to send them back. I'm still waiting.
Crystal HowellOctober 2,2023 at 8:09PM UTC
Go For It! He has a secretary, the word will get to him. Go get your blessing, resign with 2 weeks today.
AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 9:41PM UTC
OP states boss is on a work trip, not vacation. I'm on the boss side of the equation and would absolutely want to be able to have a phone conversation rather than just some random email pop up.
NHOctober 4,2023 at 2:41PM UTC
Same here and 100% agree! I'm shocked by some of these responses of just having word get to him through the grapevine or sending an email. OP mentioned this boss is a good boss.
Kimberly AnneOctober 3,2023 at 12:56PM UTC
They would fire you without notice. Send a company wide email attaching appropriate people.
Tiana MumfordOctober 4,2023 at 12:59PM UTC
Good day
It is totally up to you . You are being dedicated by waiting but it’s nice to know they will wait . What type of relationship you have ? I guess you can always give the notice to HR if you really want to exit.
Best
AnonymousOctober 8,2023 at 5:45PM UTC
You could ask the opinion of the new employer regarding how they would prefer to receive a notice from a current employee.