Everyone
Resignation
When an employee wants to stop working for their employer, they need to formally let them know, and give them the right amount of notice.
Employee and employer responsibilities
| If you're an employee | If you're an employer |
|---|---|
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Give your An individual or organisation that hires 1 or more employees and contracts them to work in exchange for wages or salary under a ‘contract of service’ (commonly called an ‘employment agreement’). A written document setting out the terms and conditions of employment agreed by the employer and employee (also known as a ‘contract of service’). It can include other contractual documents and agreements made by the employer and employee. Every employee must have a written employment agreement. |
Check the right amount of notice has been given. |
| If you did not mean to When an employee tells their employer they will be leaving their job. |
Confirm that the Any person, whatever their age, who is employed by an employer to do any work for hire or reward under a ‘contract of service’ (commonly called an ‘employment agreement’). |
| You can ask to withdraw your resignation – but your employer doesn’t have to agree to the request. |
Calculate The last pay an employee receives from their employer. This includes their final salary or wages, all holiday pay they are entitled to, and any other payments owing. |
| Know your rights and responsibilities in regard to ‘ When an employee feels they have no choice but to resign. |
Collect any company property. |
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Carrying out an exit interview can provide useful insights. |
When an employee wants to resign
An employee can resign at any time by:
- notifying their employer they’ll be leaving, and
- giving their employer the required notice, agreed to in their employment agreement.
Most A written document setting out the terms and conditions of employment agreed by the employer and employee (also known as a ‘contract of service’). It can include other contractual documents and agreements made by the employer and employee. Every employee must have a written employment agreement.
Want to give notice in writing? You can use the Resignation letter template.
Once notice has been given
When an employee gives notice of their resignation, the employer should first check that the right amount of notice has been given. The employer may, however, agree to the employee not working the agreed notice period.
If the correct notice has been given, the employer cannot stop the employee from leaving at the end of the notice period.
Before accepting a resignation, an employer should make sure that it’s what the employee really wants to do. If the employee has resigned verbally, the employer may ask them to confirm in writing the date they propose to finish.
The employer can, if they wish, follow up by accepting the resignation in writing.
Before an employee leaves
There are actions to take once a resignation has been accepted, such as calculating the employee’s The last pay an employee receives from their employer. This includes their final salary or wages, all holiday pay they are entitled to, and any other payments owing.
Resignation in the heat of the moment
An employee may have resigned in the heat of the moment or have said or done something that might be interpreted as a resignation – for example, after an argument or when they were emotionally distressed.
If an employee thinks their employer might think they’ve resigned when they have not, they should talk to their employer and correct the misunderstanding as soon as possible. The employee should do this within a reasonable timeframe.
In situations like this, an employer should always check with an employee that they intended to resign. Text messages should not be relied upon because they can be open to interpretation.
Sonja has an argument with a workmate at work, and leaves work angrily saying “I’m out of here”. Her manager Vivian calls her later that day and asks what happened. Sonja, still angry, tells her about the argument and that she was thinking about leaving due to the bad atmosphere. Vivian tells her to take a day to think about it and get back to her. Vivian calls Sonja again the next day and asks if Sonja still wants to resign. Sonja says that she doesn’t and asks Vivian to help resolve the bad working atmosphere. Sonja returns to work the next day and Vivian organises a meeting between Sonja and the other employees to help sort out their issues.
Withdrawing a resignation
If an employee has resigned but later changes their mind, they can ask to withdraw their resignation – but the employer does not have to agree to this. The employer should respond to the request in writing, so that there are no misunderstandings.