Things to Consider Before Resigning: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re not happy with your job, or situations have caused you to need to resign, you can do so at any time. However, there are certain things to consider before taking the leap. In this blog, we’ll discuss what you should consider before leaving your job, and how you can go about resigning the right way.

What Does It Mean to Resign?

Resignation is the process of an employee ending their employment with a company. It’s also referred to as ‘quitting’, ‘leaving’, or ‘handing in your notice’. There are many reasons an employee may resign. It could be due to a lack of growth opportunities, a desire for new challenges or a change in environment, relocation, better job offers, and much more which can be personal or professional.

What You Should Consider Before Quitting Your Job

Resigning from your job can be filled with nerves and excitement, however, it’s important to consider certain factors before leaving.

If You’re Leaving Because of Issues at Work

If you’re leaving your job because of conflicts or other issues at work, it’s recommended to exhaust all possible solutions before making your final decision to leave. Start by addressing your issues or concerns with your HR department as, sometimes, problems like poor management, interpersonal conflicts or lack of resources can be resolved through internal discussions or changes to your role.

The Effect on Your Income

Financial stability is a major factor when it comes to deciding whether or not to resign. Before handing in your notice, you should evaluate your financial position. If you don’t have another position to move straight to, you should have enough savings to cover your living expenses for at least three to six months.

If you already have a job offer, compare its salary and benefits to your current position. Does it have better perks and pension contributions? A thorough comparison will help you understand the financial implications of your decision.

It’s also important to consider what your final pay might look like if you leave part-way through the month, have taken too many annual leave days, or need to pay back money for training courses.

The Job Market

Before leaving your job, it’s important to consider the current job market. Research the demand or your skillset and experience in your industry and location. High demand for expertise may mean a new job sooner, whereas a saturated market might require more time and effort to secure a new position.

If you’re resigning before finding another role, you can actively engage in networking and job search activities before you leave. Strengthen your professional network by reconnecting with former colleagues, attending events, and using platforms like LinkedIn.

If You’re Resigning During Absence

Resigning from your job during a leave of absence such as sick leave, parental leave, or annual leave requires careful consideration as this could affect your pay. You should first review your employment contract to understand the terms related to resignation during an absence. Some contracts might have specific clauses that dictate the process or consequences of resigning while absent. By consulting with your HR department or employment law solicitors, you can gain more clarity on this and ensure you are compliant.

Resigning during absence might also impact your benefits, so plan for any potential gaps in coverage.

If You’re Resigning During Redundancy, Lay-Off, or TUPE Transfer

Resigning during periods of redundancy, lay-offs, or a TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) transfer involves a unique set of challenges as your pay and other rights could be affected if resign when:

• You’ve been told your job is at risk of redundancy or that it will become redundant. If you resign at this stage, you might lose your entitlement to redundancy pay.
• You’ve been laid off or had your hours reduced because there isn’t enough work. You can apply for redundancy pay and receive less than a half week’s pay for 4 or more weeks in a row or 6 or more weeks in a 13-week period.
• A TUPE transfer is taking place. if you don’t want to transfer, you can tell your employer in writing and they will treat this as a resignation.

How to Resign

If you’re looking to resign from your role, you can check your employment contract for the resignation process they want you to follow. If it isn’t in your contract, you can ask your manager of the HR department. Although an employer cannot reject your resignation, it’s crucial you follow the correct process to avoid breaching your contract.

How to Tell Your Employer

You don’t necessarily have to put your resignation in writing; however, it might be helpful to have a record of your resignation in a letter or email. This can help avoid disputes about subjects like notice periods. When writing to your manager or HR department, you should state the following:

• That you are resigning
• How much notice you’re giving
• What date you want your last day at work to be

Working Your Notice Period

Your notice period is the amount of time you remain employed by the company before you leave. A written statement of employment must say how much notice you must give, and this period starts from the day you hand in your notice.

If you’ve been employed for less than one month, you don’t need to give any notice unless your written statement of employment states otherwise. After one month of employment, you’re legally classed as an employee and need to give at least one week’s notice.

If you want to leave before your notice period ends, you can:

• Ask your employer to leave without working all of your notice
• Ask to be paid instead of working on your notice
• Ask to be put on garden leave

Although you are free to request this, your employer does not have to agree.

Your Rights and Protections

During your notice period, you are entitled to receive your normal pay as specified in your employment contract. This entitlement includes periods when you’re sick, when you are on holiday, or on parental leave.

If you’re ready and available to work during your notice period but your employer doesn’t provide you with any work, you’re still entitled to be paid. This ensures your income remains consistent and protected throughout your entire notice period regardless of your ability to work or your employer’s ability to provide work.

What Happens After Resigning

When you have resigned from your job, you should receive your P45 form. This is a record of the pay you have earned and the tax that’s been paid so far in the tax year. You will need a P45 to give to your new employer.

You should also receive your final pay including any unused statutory holiday allowance. If you’ve taken more leave than you’ve earned before you resign, the employer normally can’t take the money from your final pay unless it’s been agreed beforehand.

Back to News