Resignations

Are you looking to quit your job? In this episode of HBR’s advice podcast, Dear HBR:, cohosts Alison Beard and Dan McGinn answer your questions with the help of David Burkus, a management professor at Oral Roberts University. They talk through what to do when you want to call out a toxic employee in your resignation letter, reject a counteroffer, or resign without burning bridges.

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Listen to more episodes and find out how to subscribe on the Dear HBR: page. Email your questions about your workplace dilemmas to Dan and Alison at dearhbr@hbr.org.

From Alison and Dan’s reading list for this episode:

HBR: What to Do After You Tell Your Boss You’re Leaving by Carolyn O’Hara — “Don’t sully your hard-won reputation by slacking off in your final few weeks. Go out on a high note by making sure that files and clients are transferred in a timely and organized fashion and that deadlines won’t be overlooked in your absence. And take the time to express gratitude for the opportunities you’ve had there. You may see former managers and colleagues again at other companies, especially if you remain in the same industry.”

HBR: 7 Ways People Quit Their Jobs by Anthony C. Klotz and Mark C. Bolino — “Not surprisingly, we also found that while most voluntary turnover tends to be unpleasant for managers, they are particularly frustrated and angry when employees leave in a perfunctory, avoidant, or bridge burning manner. So employees who want to leave on good terms should steer clear of these strategies.”

HBR: Setting the Record Straight: Using an Outside Offer to Get a Raise by Amy Gallo — “You also have to think about possibly damaging your relationship with people at the organization from which you got the offer if they assumed you planned on leaving your job and now you’re turning them down to stay. The hiring manager and others there likely spent time and energy interviewing you, assessing whether you’re a fit, and internally negotiating the specifics of your offer. If it’s a place you’d like to work in the future, you have to consider whether using their offer to get more from your current employee will hurt your chances to apply again later on.”

HBR: Is It Time to Quit Your Job? by Amy Gallo — “Before making a final decision, make sure you’ve assessed the downsides. Even if you’re certain you’re in the wrong job, there are risks to leaving — you may damage existing relationships, lose needed income, or blemish your resume.”