When it comes to leaving job you will doubtless be filled with anticipation and fear, even though leaving may be a relief and even if you are leaving your job after a short time. There are, however, certain steps you should follow to avoid any legal issues. You want to start your new job on a happy note and not have any unresolved issues lingering from your previous job. Our step-by-step guide on How to resign from your job will make this process much easier.
Ideally you should not be leaving your job without another job already in the pipeline. Being out of work can make you regret leaving your job regardless of how unhappy you were there. Once you have secured a new job, you need to tell your boss that you are leaving and then hand in a formal letter or send an email stating that you are leaving your job. This is your notice of resignation and it must include that you are leaving, why you are leaving, and the date that you are leaving. There are plenty of samples of letters for leaving your job, which can be found online.
You will probably have to work out your notice before leaving the job, but some companies will allow employees to use up their leave instead of being paid out, so that they do not need to work out their notice period. If you have been fired your boss may insist on you leaving your job without the notice period.
It is important that you return any property issued to you during your employment including keys, access tags, computers, cell phones and so on. Ask for a letter of reference before leaving your job, and be sure to send a thank you letter to your boss for the opportunity of working with him/her before leaving your job. You want to leave behind a good impression. You may want to throw a party for the office where you can present a speech about why you are leaving your job. This will also help towards not leaving a job on bad terms with your employer or colleagues.
You are sure to have good reasons for leaving the job so focus on the positive. Thank people for their messages and good wishes when you tell them you are leaving your job and share contact details so that you can keep in touch. Above all, ensure that as well as leaving job you leave a good impression.