# How do you quit? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 20, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189 "2014-11-20T19:36:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/21 "2014-11-20T20:37:05Z")
I agree, a letter of resignation is better than an email, and plenty of notice seems appropriate under the circumstances. Good luck - I hope the new job is awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/22 "2014-11-20T20:41:33Z")
Definitely face to face for first communication. If you feel that bringing a written letter with you is necessary then great. If you can’t do a face to face because your boss is in another location, then do it over the phone. But quitting by e-mail or voice mail is chicken shit. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/23 "2014-11-20T20:44:29Z")
I think you should type a formal letter, sign it, and deliver it face-to-face to your supervisor. This is an important part of resigning with civility. It sounds like you do not want to burn your bridges, and an email alone can seem very cold and detached. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/24 "2014-11-20T21:03:16Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Right, I didn’t make that clear–it’s a university. I’m a faculty/admin right now, and I imagine it’s very possible I might continue teaching for them as an adjunct. I wish I could tell them I can keep teaching my class next semester (they’re going to have to scramble to find somebody as it is) but new place won’t let me work for anyone else for a year after I start with them. Got it. Adjunct should have been a clue. So it is very, very unlikely that they’ll walk you out the door before finals, right? Is your new job in industry? ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/25 "2014-11-20T21:23:19Z")
I had an acquaintance that started his resignation letter with the words “It is with measured regret…” I’m told that the recipient didn’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/26 "2014-11-20T21:24:04Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Got it. Adjunct should have been a clue. > So it is very, very unlikely that they’ll walk you out the door before finals, right? Unfortunately, this is not _necessarily_ so. Last year we had layoffs, and some faculty members had to leave on the spot, in the middle of a semester. There’s definitely risk here, but as explained in a prior post I think it’s worth it. On balance I don’t think they’ll do anything crazy. We’re all friendly, I’m valued, people in positions similar to mine _have_ resigned in the recent past without being walked out, etc. > [@](#): > > Is your new job in industry? No, it’s a different university. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/27 "2014-11-20T21:30:42Z")
> [@GrizzRich](#): > > I had an acquaintance that started his resignation letter with the words > > “It is with measured regret…” > > I’m told that the recipient didn’t get it. I don’t get it either, but I want to. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/28 "2014-11-20T21:37:37Z")
I think an abrupt no explanation resignation may cast a little undeserved suspician that problems exist in your dept. If in fact they do exist and you really don’t feel like spelling it out then no explanation might be the better choice. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/29 "2014-11-20T22:12:03Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I think an abrupt no explanation resignation may cast a little undeserved suspician that problems exist in your dept. If in fact they do exist and you really don’t feel like spelling it out then no explanation might be the better choice. I might say those things face-to-face, but wouldn’t put them in writing. > [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Typically, you say something about “leaving to pursue other opportunities”, not “take this job and shove it”. > > It is also conventional to express some sentiment about “enjoyed my time working here”, “ **learned a great deal from the experience** ”. You leave out the fact that neither is true (if in fact they are not.) I’d add a little flowery prose beyond I’m leaving on **/** /\_\_. Just remember that you may want to leave out the specific details of what you learned: [ul] [li]That you, bossman, are a flaming a-hole.[/li][li]How not to run a company/university.[/li][li]If I go to Hell after I die, it’ll be a picnic after working here.[/li][/ul] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@Fallen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fallen)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/30 "2014-11-20T22:17:00Z")
You don’t need to resign in writing (unless you signed something agreeing to do so), nor do you need to give any notice. I don’t know too many people that deliver the news by writing v. in person. You’d have to say why it is you’re reluctant or feel it would be appropriate to write whatever it is that’s on your mind/that you want them to know. (If you’ve done so in responses beyond original post, apologies.) ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/31 "2014-11-20T22:44:55Z")
I think your employer, or your supervisor, deserves theh courtesy of some form of explanation. At a minimum, something like "I think the time is appropriate for me to explore new avenues in my career.’ Some day, you’re going to want a reference from your employer, which is a courtesy repaid in kind. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/32 "2014-11-20T23:00:07Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > I’m in favour of the “walk out the door backwards with a raised middle finger on each hand” method, but that’s just me. Don’t forget the pirouette by the threshold to drop trou and moon them. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/33 "2014-11-20T23:25:54Z")
I’ve only left three jobs (I tend to hang around!) The first was leaving a good job to try a completely new career path. I explained things in person to my manager (who wished me luck) and wrote a polite letter of resignation. 🙂 The second occasion was leaving the completely new career path after just 3 months :smack: because my new employers had let me down badly. I resigned by phone :eek: and left them to sort out the paperwork. The third time was leaving a reasonable job to take up a fantastic and unique opportunity. Again I explained things in person to my manager (who said she was very sorry I was going 🆒) and wrote a polite letter of resignation. 🙂 I’ve been very lucky in my career choices (apart from the 3 months worth of debacle!), so I recommend you are polite and correct in your resignations. You don’t want a sleazy job reputation… ---
**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/34 "2014-11-21T00:05:35Z")
I agree with several other posters that the professional way to go about it is to prepare a formal letter, which should be very bare bones, and then have a face to face with the boss. During that face to face meeting you can go into more detail if either of you are interested in doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/35 "2014-11-21T00:30:42Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I wouldn’t give them more than two weeks. No need to be uncivil but you don’t really owe them a reason either. > > How long (if any) of a notice should one give on retiring? If you don’t need them for a reference, why even give them two weeks? Some employers have a time requirement in their personnel rules. Failure to give proper advance notice can be cause for the company not giving you a “recommended for rehire”, which is HR-ese saying that you were dismissed for cause. Not a good thing. Sending an email to say you’re quitting is rude at the very least and a bit cowardly sounding, IMO. Were it me receiving such an email, I’d say forget the two weeks, pack your shit and go today. As others have already said, take your letter and tell the boss in person. No sense burning a bridge. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/36 "2014-11-21T00:46:07Z")
Totally go the short formal letter, talk to the boss, way. Don’t - whatever you do - do what a colleague of mine did years ago: go to New Zealand from the UK for a (supposed) fortnight’s holiday, and resign by sending a fax with the “I quit” formalities and a cock and balls drawn on it. That type of thing doesn’t get you an amazing reference. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/37 "2014-11-21T02:10:00Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I don’t get it either, but I want to. I think it is meant to compare to the more standard opening, “It is with great regret…”, implying that the regret is less than complete. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/38 "2014-11-21T09:10:26Z")
I sent an email to HR (cc my acting manager) advising I would be leaving in about 2 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/39 "2014-11-21T09:37:29Z")
I worked with a man who gave three months notice. In his career, one month was customary. It was a mistake. He got crap shifts and attitude from management. He said when he left that it was a huge mistake. ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189/40 "2014-11-21T11:06:47Z")
Well in my case I just sent email with "I officially quit my job on 31 of August (it was 31 of July) to my boss even his office was next door. Not because I was coward, but I simply couldn’t stand him. As person he was OK, but as a boss he was an asshole. His reaction was reasonable. He stormed to my cubicle and and asked: “Are you serious?” “Yup,” I told Him. “Ok, then” he replied. They got new guy in a fourth-week so I had another two weeks to train him. As I heard he quit in a month by just not showing to his workplace … Well that is rude. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-quit/705189.md?page=3)