Best way to resign?

Anonymous

October 2,2021 at 7:11PM UTC

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Best way to resign?

Backstory - I have been working as a VP for a medium-size company for about two years. When I was hired, I reported directly to the owner. He wanted to step back, so he hired someone to lead the employees while he brainstorms ideas for the company. Great idea for him, but I do not love working for the new leader. The new guy turned down my PTO request at Christmas (because “someone needs to stay just in case”), he is vocal about how he feels shared services should not share in the bonus pool (which is 25 - 40% of my pay), he emails me at 9 pm expecting a response that evening and he makes me feel like my department never does enough work. I used to get stellar accolades weekly from the owner and worked standard hours, so the new guy is not winning me over. I decided to find a new position and will begin in December. The reason I am leaving in December is so I can go on our company award trip in the middle of November and still give two weeks’ notice. However, if you factor in the Thanksgiving holiday, I would need to give notice while on the award trip to work a full 10 days before I start at the new company.

My dilemma is how to give my resignation. If I had to give my resignation to the owner, I would feel horrible, since I liked working for him a lot. However, since it is to my new boss, I really don’t care, but in the interest of not burning bridges, I feel I need to handle this tactfully. Here are my thoughts and I honestly am not sure which one is the best to maintain a good relationship with the executive team.

A – Pull the new boss aside on the last day of the trip, right before I leave for the airport, and speak to him face to face.

B – Get back to work the next day and text the new guy while he is still on the trip asking him to call me and do it over the phone.

C – Get back to work the next day and send him my resignation letter at 11:00 pm asking him to call me on his way to the airport the next morning.

I cannot wait for him to return since I need to give a 2 weeks’ notice to be paid my final bonus. The issue for him is he will still be on the trip for 2 more days after I leave since he is running the show. I did not qualify to stay for the full trip that is why I am leaving early. Any way I resign is going to make him upset since he will be in the thick of team activities.

I would love your thoughts on how to resign in this situation. I know I should just resign now like normal and start my new job, but I really want a free trip to Mexico on my old company that I earned. Thank you!

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Jennifer NajeraOctober 2,2021 at 7:23PM UTC
I think option A with the face-to-face communication would be taking the high road and let your executive skills shine. I might be concerned how he (new guy) would spin it to the owner. Therefore, you may want to contact the owner beforehand and then follow-up with the resignation letter within a day after getting back from the trip.
AnonymousOctober 2,2021 at 7:27PM UTC
Take care of you. Send resignation when you get back. Don’t ask to talk. Who cares if they are upset. You were upset and not getting PTO. They obviously don’t care about you. Take care of yourself.
AnonymousOctober 2,2021 at 8:03PM UTC
If your new job is willing to wait until December, surely they’re willing to wait a few days into December so you can give your full leave once you return. Dec 1 is a Wednesday. See if you can start Monday the 6th. I wouldn’t tell your current employer before the trip because I think the whole trip would be marred by discussion about you leaving, counter offer, etc. Your boss hasn’t taken care of you. I don’t think you need to go out of your way to accommodate them either. Check with your HR about whether your leave is required to be 10 working days or just 2 weeks. I’m betting it’s 2 calendar weeks, so the holidays will not impact your bonus.
Laura JohnsonOctober 3,2021 at 1:29PM UTC
I would do all three. There is no guarantee that the owner and the new guy talk constantly. If you have issues with him the owner may feel the same way-at least personality wise-so he may not speak to him frequently. The other point is that by doing all three you cover you bases because this new guy might try to pull a fast one and deny you your bonus saying he didn’t find out in enough time. You earned all of it. Be sure you get it.
Alexandria Scobee |Leadership Coach | IT ManagerOctober 4,2021 at 12:53AM UTC
It sounds like you have a good relationship with the owner. A face to face with the owner makes sense. As for official notice I will send it once you land at home copying HR to ensure it is received. Good luck
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 4:08AM UTC
I vote for option #c
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 12:25PM UTC
I would also let the owner know and have a separate conversation with him before you send I your resignation letter.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 12:57PM UTC
Let the owner know that you’d like to set aside a few minutes to catch up during the trip. And, send an email to your current boss on the last day of the trip outlining your last day. Same day if possible.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 1:00PM UTC
I don't like the fact that your termination aligns with this big trip. This all feels too convoluted. What you really need to do is push back your start date with the new company. Then, you can give notice in a more reasonable fashion without all of these tangents
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 1:43PM UTC
Yes, if you’re concerned about not burning bridges, arranging your notice so you get your trip and bonus is lighting a match. You need to look out for yourself and I am not suggesting you shouldn’t get all that’s due you, but this timing is going to leave a bad taste no matter how you do it.
Karen GongawareOctober 4,2021 at 1:26PM UTC
You send the owner and this new boss both a letter of resignation as an attachment with a read receipt from your home computer making sure your email is within the dates you need. You simply state that you are resigning from the company and your last date of employment will be ........fill in the blank. That is all. And then go work your 2 weeks or 10 working days. But you need to send to both or the owner will never know your side and why you are resigning. Creative differences is always a good one to use! Your suggestions above smacked of revenge so don't go there.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 1:32PM UTC
Assuming the "final bonus" you spoke of was your year end bonus (and not a bonus because you resigned), then if you live in a right to work state (most places) then you shouldn't give notice until after your bonus is paid. Even if you give 2 weeks' notice, your manager can refuse to accept the notice and terminate you immediately. So don't give notice until you see that final bonus clear in your bank account. Also, since you mentioned that you were concerned with maintaining a good relationship with the executive team, please keep in mind that giving notice right after or during the trip will quite possibly burn a few bridges anyway. Some people will think that you just stayed that long to get a free trip.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 1:48PM UTC
Is there a good reason why you wouldn’t let your boss and the owner know that you’ve found another position on the first day of the awards trip?
Healthcare workerOctober 4,2021 at 1:49PM UTC
I wouldn’t pull him aside or ask to call etc. just send the written notice on the date you have to resign with the full two weeks to achieve bonus. Be prepared however, for them deciding to not disburse your bonus or even state that the trip was part of your compensation etc. I realize you feel entitled to the trip and bonus as you earned them, but many companies will pull those type of perks from employees who leave around those times. Right now it’s the beginning of October and your new company is waiting a couple months for you to start. Try to time it up so there isn’t the overlap, but be truly prepared for the backlash that may result. I wouldn’t ask to talk in person to anyone in the emails, just stick to the facts of your resignation and if they want to discuss it with you they will call you. Deal primarily with HR on all matters related to your bonuses etc.
Kaylie TorresOctober 4,2021 at 2:06PM UTC
Why not contact the owner who you respect and tell him what's going on? Assuming he appreciates you and your work he can make sure you get paid and enjoy your trip. He can be a part of your resignation discussion with his employee, your boss.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 2:13PM UTC
Send him an email stating you are resigning and your last day will be xx/xx/xx and call it good. If he checks his email as he expects you to he will get it while he’s on the trip and it won’t mess up anything.
Tracy BooneOctober 4,2021 at 2:54PM UTC
Not sure a trip to Mexico is important enough to burn bridges. The Bonus is. I'd work my resignation around the receipt of the Bonus. And asking a new employer to modify an Agreed Upon start date doesn't make the best "first" impression.
Beverly RuyleOctober 4,2021 at 3:03PM UTC
I concur with Anonymous who advises for the bonus to clear before giving notice. The money not the trip should be the concern. And who wants to go on the trip with a leader you dislike so much? Giving notice during the trip will certainly burn bridges and jeopardize bonus payment. It may even jeopardize future trips for your coworkers. Resign properly to your immediate boss, cc HR and your old boss as courtesy. The new job is willing to wait for you - sounds like a good culture --Get your life on down the road.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 4:59PM UTC
This is cutting it kind of close, and you need to make sure that you put your resignation in writing before verbally saying anything. You need to email it to everyone involved so it's completely provable that you sent it in on time. Companies love trying to not pay out final bonuses, and you don't need that.
Now, in terms of your timeline... I think at this point it's going to be messy no matter what. You working the new job around going on this trip could probably have been done better (it might have been best to push it out 3 weeks away from the trip). But at this point, I would just make sure that you send the resignation email out well before the last minute - even if it makes the trip a bit awkward. What are they going to do - kick the VP off the trip?
Good luck!
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 5:33PM UTC
Can you email him when you get back from the trip informing him that you are resigning and if he has any questions to let you know?
Joanna PoeOctober 4,2021 at 5:45PM UTC
I'd concur with those who advise you to loop in the owner who you respected and who hired you. That bridge is the most important one not to burn.
Rosa GoesOctober 4,2021 at 8:31PM UTC
I agree, wait for the bonus. Rethink the trip to Mexico, especially if you will be leaving. Also, if the new company is in the same industry, word may travel fast that you waited for the free trip before giving your resignation. Most companies understand the bonus part, but may not think the same for the trip part.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 9:07PM UTC
Why is there a concern about receiving the bonus? The bonus is given due to past performance. If she is owed the bonus, than she is owed the bonus?
Is there a suggestion that the company won’t pay it?
Healthcare workerOctober 7,2021 at 8:13PM UTC
Bonuses do not have to be paid out they are not considered the same as wages. Bonus is just that a bonus and can be given at the companies discretion. Often when bonuses are awarded you have to be working at the day of disbursement to receive them. Example: my husbands company gives a year end bonus based on performance and overall profitability. The bonus is “awarded” in January but paid out in March. If you aren’t working at time of payout you do not get the bonus.
AnonymousOctober 7,2021 at 11:27PM UTC
Dayuuum. Harsh!
AnonymousOctober 9,2021 at 2:19AM UTC
Yea, it's harsh but it's how they do it
Angela MasonOctober 5,2021 at 12:19AM UTC
With people like that, do NOT expect a bonus. Whether you give "proper" notice or not, this year's bonus will probably not happen for you.
Amanda HealyOctober 7,2021 at 4:09PM UTC
If you are counting on that bonus, make sure it's ironclad. New boss may use it to punish you. On another note, will you engage with the owner about your departure? You might consider doing so simply to protect your prof reputation with him, cuz you know how new boss will characterize your departure.
AnonymousOctober 10,2021 at 2:51PM UTC
Thank you everyone for your feedback. I decided to quit early and forgo the trip. The stress of the decision was keeping me up at night. I just want to move on with my life.
AnonymousOctober 10,2021 at 7:23PM UTC
you made the right decision. aligning yourself with your beliefs and personal integrity, etc became your highest priority and your gut told you so. Bravo. thanks for update!
AnonymousOctober 10,2021 at 9:59PM UTC
Good for you!!
Liz MilneOctober 11,2021 at 5:05PM UTC
Get back to the office, put in your two weeks, why speak to anyone? Hand your resignation in in good time for both bonus and your new job start and don't give either boss a second thought. If your old boss asks what's up, tell him. You owe new boss nothing at all, it sounds like he's been trying to push you out from the start?