Resigning from a job is a major life change and this will have an effect on your career and your employment status. Be it leaving a toxic workplace to jump at a better opportunity or need to leave to achieve a better work-life balance, you need to resign in a manner that safeguards your image, and respects your legal rights. Canadian employees should be conversant with some of the major steps and traps to be followed so as to make the transition not only professional, but also legal.
Give Proper Notice in Writing
Provision of written notice is one of the most crucial steps to resigning a job. This demonstrates professionalism and helps avoid misunderstandings. Usually a two week notice would be accepted and in other situations it may be case specific depending on what your employment contract states or what your industry would have expected.
Putting your resignation in the written form establishes a record, and gives your boss time to prepare your exit. This can assist in maintaining the working relationship intact and liminal. Keep the message brief, polite, and professional. Avoid using emotional language, and stick to the facts.
Understand Your Legal Rights and Obligations
Before resigning, make sure you understand your legal rights. Read through your contract of employment closely and to clarify your notice period, any rules regarding resignation and whether you are entitled to any final pay or vacation days, etc. And when you are uncertain of what your rights are or what consequences you may face acting in a certain way, then being at least knowledgeable of consulting your attorney about it is a must.
There are certain legal considerations employees in Calgary and the province of Alberta may encounter depending on employment standards within the province. The employment lawyer Calgary professional may be useful to explain what your responsibilities are and how dissimilar outcomes may arise due to the resignation of yours, including loss of advantages and the penalties of concentrations.
Maintain Professional Conduct Until the End
The way you behave in your last days can leave an imprint on your employer and the rest of the colleagues. Stay working as long as you are able to and finish out any remaining assignments. Being willing to aid in training your replacement/in the transition is a sign of maturity and goodwill.
You should also not speak negatively to colleagues when it comes to discussion about your departure. Do not complain, gossip, or blame other people that you decided to leave. Such behaviours may negatively affect your reputation, and they may affect you in your next position, particularly in a close knit industry.
Protect Your Reputation Outside the Workplace
When you have left, word of mouth may influence your career image based on what you say about your past employer. Frustration is understandable should you depart in less than ideal circumstances but anything short of a harangue in the press or some other pot-stirring online can be counterproductive. Avoid venting on social media or in public forums.
Rather, emphasize on what you intend to do in the future and show appreciation of what you have learnt or experienced in the role. It is easier to get respect when leaving the job by a colleague or the employer when an individual leaves. A polite and a silent exit usually says so much about your personality.
Secure Your Personal and Legal Documents
Make copies of any other employment-related document you think could be important, including 2 - 3 copies of your offer letter, pay stubs, performance reviews and your last pay record before your final day. Such papers may be helpful when you need to document your working experience or deal with some conflicts in the future.
In case you have signed a non-disclosure agreement or non-compete deal, go read it. Such contracts can be limiting to perform some of the practices upon quitting your employment. In case you do not know how such clauses are to be applied, consult an employment lawyer to ensure that you do not breach any such terms unknowingly.
Exit Interviews and Final Conversations
A good number of employers will request you to engage in an exit interview. Here is where you can give any constructive critique, but as a rule, it is better to be exigent and diplomatic. Present your answers in terms of advancement of the profession and not individual complaints.
And in your last conversation with your manager, express gratitude on being given such a chance and intimate an interest in not falling out. The process of a respected and professional departure may also be useful to maintain your network and maintain a door in future.
