How to Quit a Job, Gracefully
The movies make it seem so dramatic. Yelling I quit to your boss followed by a stormy departure and a liberating escape into the fresh air. Perhaps quitting a job will be like that for some of you but for most New York employees, quitting a job should be approached gracefully.
What do I mean by that? Well when employment references, severance packages, alternative employment opportunities and litigation are at stake, the last thing you want to do is jeopardize those things with an impulsive farewell. Hence the urge for a graceful exit, no matter how mad you are at your boss or how much you were looking forward to telling off a snarky co-worker.
Before quitting, think about anything and everything you would want from your soon-to-be ex company after your last day at work. If you are looking for a glowing reference for a future employer, then in your peaceful resignation make sure you ask for that and remind your employer of all the wonderful things you have done for the company. If a severance package is what you are after then the last thing you want to do is risk all the potential benefits you will receive. However, severance pay is rarely granted if you quit but it does happen on occasion.
And now for the big issue here: was there any foul play going on? If you ultimately have some type of lawsuit you will be pursuing against your company after working there, then don’t build their defense against you for them by acting unprofessional on your last day. Also, if you think that you have a case, see an employment lawyer before you resign. The real way to get back at an employer will be in the courtroom, trust me.
So to refresh: think ahead, stay calm and have a plan for anything and everything you need from the employer when the employment relationship ends. Good luck.
