How to Say Goodbye to Your Old Employer

Regardless of the reason you are leaving the company -- whether it is a resignation, retirement or layoff -- say goodbye with grace. A professional and respectful departure from employment will allow you to maintain networking relationships with your colleagues and allow for good references from your employer. If you have been laid off or forced to resign for no fault of your own, saying goodbye respectfully will increase your chances of being rehired in the future.

Instructions

1. Tell your boss first if you are resigning. Don't let him hear gossip about your impending resignation from coworkers before you have officially announced the news. Similarly, refrain from gossiping with coworkers if you are laid off. As tempting as it may be to speculate about the company's situation, remain professional and don't spread rumors in the workplace.

2. Write a formal letter documenting your decision to resign. The letter will serve as formal notice to the company but also remain as a record on your personnel file, so be gracious and polite, regardless of your feelings about the situation. Likewise, if you are being forced to leave employment -- through layoff, for example -- write a letter thanking the employer for the opportunities you were provided throughout employment and indicating your interest and availability for rehire if the possibility arises in the future.

3. Offer to train your replacement or other employees to cover your job. Create a training manual or procedures guide to help other staff perform the more complex tasks once you have left. Provide a status update on any outstanding tasks remaining so that nothing falls through the cracks once you leave.

4. Make copies of any documents or work samples you may need in the future, as long as this does not violate company policy or privacy procedures. Get copies of commendations or awards you won, and create a portfolio of your accomplishments and most impressive work. If you were laid off, this can be particularly useful when job seeking in the future.

5. Maintain your friendships with other employees and superiors. Exchange contact information and make plans to get together -- for lunch or happy hour, for example -- after you have left. Retaining your network of colleagues can help you progress in the industry, ease the transition out of the workforce if you retired or find another position if you were laid off.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out what the organization will provide as a job reference for you to other employers. If you are not satisfied with the response, reach a settlement agreement before you leave so you can be sure of exactly what will be said.

• Don't make any comments you'll regret. Resist the urge to tell your manager exactly what you thought of her -- you never know when you might need the help of the organization in the future.

References

• Nevada State College; Leaving and Saying Goodbye to Co-Workers When You Have Lost Your Job; David Roper; 2007
• Quintessential Careers; Job Resignation Do's and Don'ts; Randall S. Hansen