Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#1

Post by outthedoor » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 2:25 PM UTC

I'm resigning from my job today because, despite exceeding our sales quota for last year by 25%, senior management informed our team that no one would be receiving any increase in compensation, a bonus, or a promotion. Obviously this has had a negative affect on morale.

How much of that should I include in my resignation letter?

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#2

Post by a3n » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 2:27 PM UTC

I am resigning my position with $EMPLOYER.

My last day will be date(today + 14) % weekend.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#3

Post by jnazario » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 2:39 PM UTC

you do not, you never put something like this in writing. it can and will come back to hurt you.

what a3n said.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#4

Post by loumf » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 2:45 PM UTC

a3n wrote: post #2

I am resigning my position with $EMPLOYER. My last day will be date(today + 14) % weekend.

When people resign right after an announcement like that, no one needs to ask why. They are factoring in some attrition -- perhaps they might even want some.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#5

Post by stevewepay » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 3:00 PM UTC

Put the bare minimum, and do not say anything about compensation, etc. As a3n says, just say you are leaving, and when your last day will be.

When it comes to the exit interview, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING EITHER. It all goes into your employment record. You don't owe them any honesty, so just leave quietly and don't burn any bridges.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#6

Post by ccleve » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 3:02 PM UTC

Ask yourself what purpose you wish to achieve? Do you want them to change their decision? Are you concerned that they might want to accuse you of leaving for some other reason, and you want to document it?

Keep it short unless you want to achieve something specific, and then include only the verbiage relevant to that purpose.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#7

Post by amm » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 3:03 PM UTC

Never burn bridges.

Keep it as formal as possible and be polite. If you have an exit interview, don't complain about former peers or managers.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#8

Post by sjs382 » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 3:09 PM UTC

You should include the fact that you're leaving, when your last day will be, and (optionally) a sentence about your willingness to "help to make the transition as smooth as possible".

Keep it concise.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#9

Post by fsk » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 3:09 PM UTC

Get a new job first. Then quit.

Downside: You're in a sucky environment for 1-6 months longer.

Upside: You have a LOT more negotiating leverage for your next job.

Re: Ask HN: How much to put in a resignation letter?

#10

Post by DanBC » Tue, Mar 17, 2015, 3:10 PM UTC

Keep it minimal. Resignation letters serve one purpose: a formal way to end your contract.

You can tell them that yu are giving them whoever much notice you're required to give; yu can tell them what you think your last working day is; you can ask them if there's anything they want you to focus on before you leave.

Raising the problem of mot being rewarded for work done is done through other measures, before you resign. You can mention it carefully during an exit interview - "I worked hard, my team beat expectations, I felt devalued when we didn't get the bonus." But it's probably best not to.