Resigning - the final step

 - resigning for retirement

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for for many years, finally you’re tendering your resignation from your job in order to spend untold leisure hours playing golf, gardening or enjoying your grandchildren.

For some people that’s the story, for others it can be a hard wrench to leave the job that you’ve known for so long and launch out into a new life.

I enjoy waking up and not having to go to work. So I do it three or four times a day. ~Gene Perret

The Practicalities of your Resignation

Read through your contract and see how much notice you’re required to give. 

Decide when your last day is going to be – this may be in conjunction with paperwork from your employer, pension fund or from government.  For most people it could be the day before you reach pensionable age, but if you’re retiring early, you should be able to choose the date.  Consider taking tax and pension advice as to the date, as a few weeks could make a difference to your benefits later on.

Write your resignation letter – it doesn’t have to say anything more apart from the fact that you are tendering your resignation and the date from which is becomes effective (i.e. the date you are leaving).  You can hand write, type or print your letter, preferably with your home address at the top.

This is not the time to say anything negative about your employer or your boss.  Even though you aren’t considering it at present, you may need a reference from this employer and your resignation will be the final thing that they hold on your file.  Make it positive and brief.

You may need to consider what you might like as a retirement gift.  If your colleagues are unsure of what to buy you, someone may well whisper in your ear asking for a suggestion!

In some larger organisations, there may be a formal leaving party, where you may be expected to give a short speech.  Certainly it would be expected that your employer would say a few words about you and present you with your retirement gift.

It’s worth considering a few well-chosen words to say thankyou to your boss and work colleagues.  If it helps, write down a few notes to remind you who to thank and what you want to say.  It can be quite an emotional occasion so having a handkerchief in your pocket might be advisable as you say goodbye to your friends and colleagues.

Free Sample Resignation Letter

You can type, write or print your resignation letter.  If you’re handwriting it, it’s advisable to make a first draft that you can read to yourself before writing it out properly.

Today’s Date

Dear {the title and surname of your line manager or the first name of your boss, if appropriate e.g. Mrs Carter or Helen}

I wish to tender my resignation from the post of {Job Title} with effect from {put the day and the date here e.g. Friday 31^st March 2008}.

Your sincerely

{Your Full Name e.g. Helen Carter (Mrs) }

You can download your printable sample resignation letter here.