Things Not to Include in a Resignation Letter

Date Posted: 01/14/2016

“Suko na ko! Hindi ko na kaya talaga! I will resign!” Resignations, particularly if you’ve spent a long time with the organization, can be an emotional decision. Many resignations are the result of frustrations arising from unfulfilled expectations from the employer. Therefore if the time has come for you to move on, for whatever reasons, you must resign through a proper and formal resignation letter, never as an outburst of your emotions or resentment, if any exist.

The temptation to tell your employer “Mamatay ka na!”, “Ayoko na talaga!”, “Wala kang kwentang, boss! Grrr!” can be overwhelming. So make a draft letter containing all your bitterness and negative emotions, if you must, but hold it till the next day before you deliver it. But when the next day comes, you should NEVER deliver this kind of bitter communication to any employer, however bad they may have been. You cannot imitate the same behavior back to them because that will never make any difference to the organization whatsoever and it may  bounce back on you in the long term. You must restrain yourself to accept the reality that you are a mere individual against an organization, and therefore cannot express any resentment or abuse the organization without hurting yourself. You should not tell your employer how much aggrieved and embittered you feel in your employment with them. You must always make your last impression with grace and cordiality, even showing concern, in a professional manner.

Here are some pointers on what should not be mentioned in your resignation letter which could potentially harm your future career.

No emotions.

First of all, clearly make up your mind to go. Make sure final na final na ang desisyon mo ah..baka bukas mag “I love my job and I love my boss” ka pa.  Then make a resignation letter that is simple and direct and send it without hesitation or regret. Be as gentle and diplomatic as possible, without any hint of anger or revenge. However badly you feel you may have been treated, you must never forget that you are a professional and, therefore, you are expected to conduct yourself with dignity and restraint and without emotion, even if the circumstances of your severance are not pleasant.

No explanations.

Don’t go about trying to explain your resignation as no explanation is either required or sought for. Just state that you have decided to leave the organization for personal reasons or for career advancement to higher roles. Ganun lang ka-simple at kabilis, OK?! Fully knowing the underlying reasons for your departure should be adequate for you and may even be a relief for the employer as well.

No ‘with immediate effect’.

Do not make your resignation effective overnight or too sudden. Hindi pwede yung agad-agad, relax ka lang! Take into account the required specific notice period, if any, after adjusting or encashing any due leave you may be eligible to. Then mention a prospective date and request that you be relieved within the same, though your employer will most likely relieve you before you expect. Also express your eagerness to undertake a detailed handover and orientation to any new employee who will replace you.

No dissatisfaction.

Never come across as a disgruntled employee because that may show that you have an attitude of noncooperation, or that you may have been shelved for reasons of your own performance not being up to the mark. Kahit abot-langit na ang bwisit mo, control your emotions.

No criticisms.

If you had the misfortune of working under a ‘monster’ having all the negative traits any boss could possibly have, it is not to be recorded anywhere, certainly not in your resignation letter. Isipin mo na lang na you will soon get rid of him/her for good and get over any built up anger that you may carry. If the company’s brand equity, product, culture, management style or compensation fell short of your expectation, it is not your privilege to run the company down in your letter, even with any vague references that imply negative reflections.  Just let it go!

No belittling of colleagues.

The internet can give future employers access to your colleagues to throw up information about you. Word easily gets around that you had interpersonal relationship issues with co-workers.  Therefore let it not be seen that you may have been a bad subordinate or team member.  “Shut up and just mind your own business…”

No overly praise for employer.

Don’t appear insincere with excess praise but be appreciative of positive aspects in your tenure where you received rewards from your employer and suppress what you feel you deserved but were denied. This way you will make a positive parting statement, and most importantly, also enable yourself to forgive the organization instead of carrying a load of grievances into your next job.

No mail it.

As a show of respect to the organization always make a personal delivery of your resignation letter. Unless you are quitting away from location, you should personally meet your boss and apprise him of your decision to quit, and then courteously hand over your resignation letter to him. If he is not available for any reason, you may meet the HR department for the same purpose. Except at a final counseling with HR, if any, don’t verbalize grievances or discuss your frustrations except in the most objective and dispassionate manner possible.

No revealing new job particulars.

In your resignation letter there is no reason to disclose job details of your future position, or the name of your future employer or any particulars regarding your job migration. This will avoid controversy and perhaps even speculation by envious colleagues.