# What to tell the boss when resigning? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 31, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677 "2005-10-31T04:17:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SlowMindThinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@SlowMindThinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlowMindThinking)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677/21 "2005-11-02T01:39:51Z")
> [@wevets](#): > > That sounds like good advice. If I have to worry so much about how to do it, then I maybe just shouldn’t. Short and sweet will probably avoid a lot of trouble. Shame I had to wait so long to make sure I had another job, in fact. > > Shame it’s also such a small organization - there’s only nine of us, so no HR person to go to. Whew! You don’t work for me! I work for Megacorp. As a boss and underling, I can tell you that I am well aware of personality conflicts, especially mine with others. I think Voyager says it best. In fact, I think tactful, insightful honesty is always a good career move. A boss who doesn’t want that is not worth working for, and most bosses value tactful, insightful honesty more than competency. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677/22 "2005-11-02T01:52:49Z")
You’re not obligated to give a reason at all. I’ve never given a reason - just a short note saying “please accept my resignation effective immediately. My last day will be blah blah blah.” ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677/23 "2005-11-02T02:10:15Z")
> [@lorinada](#): > > You’re not obligated to give a reason at all. I’ve never given a reason - just a short note saying “please accept my resignation effective immediately. My last day will be blah blah blah.” I agree. It’s a two-way street; in most cases, when your employer fires you, you are not going to get an appraisal of just exactly why, you will just be shown the door. Just resign, blah-blah-blah; “My last day will be \_\_. So long, and thanks for the many good days we’ve had. Sincerely, \_\_\_.” Have your stuff packed up and out of there well beforehand. Then just walk out. You don’t owe them a damn thing. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677/24 "2005-11-02T16:01:55Z")
> [@parthenokinesis](#): > > I’m going to buck the trend here and suggest you burn the bridge. That way any rampaging Tartar’s on your trail will have to detour several miles downstream to find a place shallow enough to ford. This should give you plenty of head start to make your escape. Good luck on your new endeavor and here’s hoping your past doesn’t catch up with you. Hmmm. If I sprinkle caltrops on the 2nd floor carpet, that will also slow down pursuit considerably. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677/25 "2005-11-03T16:27:26Z")
It went pretty smooth. I just went with the “I really think I should be spending more time teaching, rather than on administrative and fund-raising duties.” I think that went over well and didn’t burn any bridges. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677/26 "2005-11-03T19:12:37Z")
It does make it much smoother when you are changing the kind of work you do, since it’s completely your own preference and the direction of your career is the deciding factor, nothing about them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-tell-the-boss-when-resigning/328677.md?page=1)