When submitting a resignation letter, what should or shouldn't I say when I'm leaving because of uncomfortable, threatening, unethical, hostile, personal reasons.

23 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 29,2023 at 4:04PM UTC

   The only thing you need to say is that you are resigning and giving your final day. If you feel inclined, you can thank "the company" for the experience. Two or three sentences should do it. You don't have to give a reason. You don't even have to say you have accepted a position elsewhere (especially if you haven't).

2. AnonymousOctober 29,2023 at 4:49PM UTC

   Please consider this my two weeks notice of intent of resignation effective on ______________. Thank you, xxxx

3. Alexis GladstoneOctober 29,2023 at 6:11PM UTC

   "This is to let you know I am resigning effective _______. Thank you for the opportunity to work here." (Note: You can add, "for the past x years," if you want to.)

   That's all you need to say.

4. AnonymousOctober 29,2023 at 7:05PM UTC

   You shouldn’t say why you leaving, unless you want to cite an extremely generic cause, such as for personal reasons.”

   Detailing your reasons is highly unlikely to change anything and could make you a target.

5. AnonymousOctober 29,2023 at 8:25PM UTC

   You don't use a resignation letter to aire your complaints.

   You merely say I tender my resigned and my last day will be xxxx

   Thank you. ..sincerely xyz

6. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 3:21AM UTC

   I would not use this as an opportunity to vent. Most people will not care and just roll their eyes.

   Stay professionally silent, wish everyone well and leave with grace. Let that be your final word.

7. Dawn CrossOctober 30,2023 at 12:11PM UTC

   To Whom It May Concern -

   I am submitting my resignation effective (DATE).

   I will make sure any work I am involved in will be documented for the person taking over my responsibilities.

   Regards,

   (NAME)

8. AnonymousOctober 31,2023 at 12:38PM UTC

   It is the company's responsibility to onboard the new person, not yours. I would more likely state that I would leave them a status of current projects and open issues upon exit.

9. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 12:35PM UTC

   I personally wouldn't use the letter to hash out these issues, that should've already been done long before we got to this point. State your intention of resigning, when you're planning to leave, and that it is for personal reasons.

   Wish them well in their future endeavors, as you actually like the company, and wrap the letter up. If you are planning to work a two week notice, pay attention to how things are going.

   If the environment is really hostile, you may notice that things begin getting worse because they know you're leaving. Document whatever you need to in case this ends up down the wrongful termination route. (You'd be surprised how many laws companies (and the idiots that run them) are willing to break when they know you're leaving anyways.)

   Good luck!

10. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 12:47PM UTC

    If those concerns were already brought to HR and they dismissed it for whatever reason(s), then they don’t deserve the courtesy of a reason.

11. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 12:47PM UTC

    Don't over think it. Just state:

    Dear X,

    I am writing to inform you of my resignation effective X date.

    Best,

    X

    It really doesn't need to be anything more than that.

12. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 1:04PM UTC

    I was recently in this position. It was a truly toxic environment and it was time to leave. I had to send my resignation via a pdf since my boss was never in the office. When it came time for my exit interview, he didn't bother to show up in person. He never asked why I was leaving, just questioned if I was making the right decision. Like I was a child who wasn't capable of making my own decision.

    Don't over think the letter. Stand your ground. But, don't burn any bridges. Who knows when you may need to call on someone for a reference later on down the road.

13. EMILY KIKUE FRANKOctober 30,2023 at 2:26PM UTC

    No benefit comes of you telling them why you are leaving. You can, if you want, thank them for a particular opportunity or thing you learned, but otherwise, as the example below says, just tell them your last day there and be at peace with that.

14. Heather (she/her)October 30,2023 at 2:47PM UTC

    Your resignation letter should, I hope, be coming after many conversations with no good outcome, so it's probably not going to offer up more information. Best practice from my perspective is to say as little as possible and be as direct as possible. "I am resigning, my last day is X."

15. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 3:37PM UTC

    You didn't ask this exactly but I would consider asking for an exit interview (if they don't suggest one) to say some version of this stuff.

16. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 8:57PM UTC

    Exit interviews are meaningless if you are speaking against the owner of the company. HR knows who signs their paycheck.

17. AnonymousOctober 31,2023 at 8:09PM UTC

    But some people need to say their peace. They just are wired that way.

18. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 4:35PM UTC

    Be gracious and rise above. A simple, professional resignation letter is all you need. I had plenty to complain about my abusive former director but I did not spell any of that out in my resignation letter. I stated the basic facts: I am leaving, this is my last day. I made a small handful of gracious and simple statements such as, I was grateful to work on important projects (they were) and to have the opportunity to meet many valued colleagues (not that Director but I did have many great colleagues, some within but most outside the organization). For me, at least, it felt good to be gracious regarding the work I contributed and any good, healthy connections I built while working there. Unless there were clear Human Resources violations I wouldn't bother with an exit interview. Nothing will be done. Moving onto a healthier situation is the best healing for you. Focus on that and don't look back.

19. AmyOctober 30,2023 at 4:57PM UTC

    It depends on what you'd like for the outcome to be...if the owner's behavior is blatant and accepted then it will be like talking to a wall because everyone has submitted to it. If you have documented proof you could always seek legal action.

20. AnonymousOctober 31,2023 at 12:44PM UTC

    It's a feature, not a bug. Nobody in the organization can challenge the owner, so what would you be accomplishing?

    Just submit a normal statement and let it go.

21. AnonymousOctober 31,2023 at 8:07PM UTC

    Really? I guess if it makes you feel better and gives you closure go for it.

22. MislynNovember 1,2023 at 3:54AM UTC

    I left just telling my boss what I thought he would like to here. It would have got ugly if I would have told him and his wife what I would have liked too. Sounds like your in that same boat. Just appease gh and go on with you life.

23. AnonymousNovember 7,2023 at 3:53AM UTC

    All you need to say in a resignation letter is "I resign" and "effective [the date of your last day]." Nothing else. There is no reason to give a reason.