The Great Resignation

8/17/2021

The Great Resignation August 17, 2021

One thing has led to another and we have entered the era of “The Great Resignation”. How did we get here?

There are many layers of problems that have built up to the great resignation. Perhaps it was a lack of engagement, no sense of purpose, or a desire to belong… Maybe you didn’t find anything optimistic about the company’s future, didn’t feel a sense of productivity, couldn’t give meaning to the company’s mission and vision, or weren’t able to create a sense of connection.

Our work issues have now resulted in a collective unwillingness to return to work and you want to leave your current position.

No matter the reason you’re departing, it’s best to head out the door on good terms. This is important for you as well as for those you are leaving behind, especially for the person who will fill your role. Learning how to prepare to quit your job is an important process. Follow the tips below to make your transition smoother and leave on a positive note, so you don’t burn your bridges.

How To Professionally Quit A Job

To begin with, and before you write off your current place of employment, see if there are any opportunities for moving on up within the company. Sometimes a department switch could be all that you need. Check with your Human Resources office first.

Check Your Employment Contract
Make sure you are not under contract to finish out a certain amount of time. Breaching a contract could result in serious complications to transitioning jobs. The most drastic being loss of wages.

Think About What You Want to Say
Before making any announcements, think about what you want to say to your supervisor. Remember that this is not a time to air your grievances, but instead the beginning of your transition into a new career.

Write Your Letter of Resignation
Your letter of resignation should inform your supervisor that you are leaving your position and clearly state your last working date. You should also thank your supervisor for your time with the company.

Talk to Your Supervisor
It's important to know how to quit a job. The first person that you inform of your decision to leave should be your supervisor. Use this as a time to thank him or her and plan for your last weeks of work. You can use your letter of resignation as an outline to guide you through this conversation.

Work Out Your Two Weeks
Don’t coast your last two weeks at work. Wrap up open projects, submit important information, and inform clients or other coworkers that you will be leaving.

Sort Out Any Issues with Your Benefits
If you have any unused vacation, sick time, or other benefits, see your Human Resources department about using them up or paying them out. Also, if possible, start the process of switching to new insurances or retirement plans.

Quitting your job is sure to be an exciting time and that is all the more reason to have a solid plan in place that you can follow. Think of it as crossing your t’s and dotting your I’s one last time. Make sure you quit your job professionally.

Should I Quit My Job Quiz

Being unhappy at work is no fun. Constantly dreading your next eight-hour workday or coming home drained and exhausted is not a way to live. If this is the precipice you have found yourself, think it through before you leap.

Is This a Continuing Problem?

Job stress often comes in seasons. Admittedly, some seasons last longer than others. However, take stock of how long you have been unhappy at work. If your feelings of unease have only lasted a few weeks or months, consider sticking around to see if things change. Been unhappy for a year or more? Then it may be time to start looking at new jobs.

What’s the Cause?

When asking yourself how long you have been unhappy, question the why as well. Is the stress coming from a looming project that has everyone working overtime? Would you like to make more money? Do you dislike your coworkers or team? If it is an issue that will end soon or that you can try to fix, it is probably worth waiting or working on the problem. Make sure you explore all options at your current place of employment before giving up.

Do You Dislike Your Boss?

A great boss can make an okay job great. A bad boss can make a good job horrible. If the problem is your supervisor, reflect on why you don’t like them. Do you have conflicting work styles, or do you not gel with their management style? If the answer is yes, you might want to talk to them about ways you can work better together and improve work output. If you feel that your boss is consistently overstepping lines, you might want to go to your Human Resources department. HR personnel is trained to protect the company as well as its employees.

What Can You Afford?

No matter your reason for leaving, you need to study two areas of your finances. First, how much do you need to make at your next job? Be sure to know the lowest number you are willing to go to as well as the number you would like to have. Second, decide if you need to keep working while looking for a new job or if you can simply quit your job and go without pay for an unspecified amount of time.

What Will Make You Happy?

What do you want to do for a job or a career? Are you unhappy at your current job because of the work environment or do you simply not like the work? Take into consideration how you feel about what you do daily and if a complete change in work would be the answer, not just switching to a different company that does the same thing.

Quitting your job is a major decision. Before making it, stop and reflect on the above questions so you can better judge what to do next. You really must lean to prepare to quit your job first. It should not be a hasty decision only to follow a trend.

The Great Resignation: Why So Many Folks Are Leaving Their Jobs

Mandy Fard

About The Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.

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