When it comes to leaving our jobs, most of us have mixed feelings.
While we may fantasize about storming out with no notice, or simply not showing up one day, the reality can look a bit different. Instead of taking a decisive stand worthy of a country-western song, we slink around in misery for months or years, waiting for the right moment to cut the tie.
Maybe that moment is closer than you think. The employment outlook is improving, the housing market is ticking up, and a new year is coming, with all its promise of change and renewal. If you’ve been flirting with a departure from your job, the time to start planning might be now.
Here are five of the most common ways to say goodbye to your job.
1. Just get up and go. Whether you leave in a huff or give two weeks’ notice, you don’t need another job in hand to take this path. Just make your choice and follow through. To stay on the safe side, it helps to have some money saved or a backup plan for next month’s mortgage.
2. Find a new job, then go. This is probably the most common process for leaving, with the employee following a somewhat discreet job search while continuing to work, then giving notice upon accepting a new offer.
3. Announce a future departure date. A favorite with higher-level executives, this process involves an early announcement followed by an easing back on responsibilities as the date nears.
4. Slide out the door slowly. Perhaps you’ve been on a leave for disability or maternity — are you sure you want to return? Fading away after an extended leave is one way to slide out the door; decreasing your hours is another.
5. Get yourself fired. Of course, you can do this by aggravating your boss or breaking enough rules. That will work, but it’s not likely to offer many side benefits. An alternative is to ask for the firing while you’re still on good terms with the boss. For example, you could volunteer for a layoff during a budget-cutting period, negotiating a severance package in the process.
Whatever your method of leave-taking, you can anticipate some awkward moments and second-guessing, especially if you have been in this job for a while. The following tips will help.
Protect yourself. Don’t tip your hand early, for example, if you know your boss to be vindictive, or if doing so will turn you into a “lame duck” on the job. And don’t sign anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, or which bargains away your future rights to unemployment compensation.
Trust yourself. Follow whatever process makes you most comfortable, from seeking counsel to building your savings account. Then take the step and stop looking back. Yes, it might be a mistake, but so might staying in the job. You’ll never know until you make something happen.
Gather your things. It’s probably best not to empty your workstation too early, but on the other hand, it’s smart to move out the things you care about most. It’s not unheard of for bosses to lock out an employee who is planning to leave. It also makes sense to download your contacts and personal documents from company equipment before you lose access.
Build bridges instead of burning them. If you can safely bring the boss into your confidence, you will give him or her the advantage of time to make staffing plans. You might find that the courtesy is returned later when you need job references or leads to other opportunities. Respect is also the watchword for dealing with colleagues: Remember that the person reporting to you today could easily be your boss in a future job. The best route when exiting a job will always be one of professionalism toward all parties.
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