I will be leaving my current employer in a few months to go back to school (they don’t know this). I have not enjoyed working here, and want to let them know how screwed up things are. Is this a good idea, or will they just dismiss what I’m saying as sour grapes? Some co-workers who have become close friends have told me lots of other things they want brought up as well. What should I do?

Bowing out in style

When the time comes to let your current employer know you’re moving on it’s always best to leave on good terms, for a number of reasons. How you leave is usually how you will most likely be remembered by everyone, and it is even possible that you can meet some of your old colleagues at your new employer (who could retell the story of how you left to your new coworkers in vivid detail). Your reputation follows you wherever you go, so protect it at all costs. Most importantly, you never know when you will need a reference from your current employer.

References can come back to haunt you

This “don’t burn any bridges” advice may be an old saying, but it holds a lot of truth. While it may be tempting to be very honest and forthright (or even nasty) about things within your organization that you found unpalatable, or try to settle old grudges for yourself or others, resist those temptations at all costs. Even if the person you are admonishing is not a likely reference, people still talk, so your reference will likely find out this information secondhand anyway. Some of our job search clients who did allow themselves to “get a few things off their chests” in exit interviews, are regretting their rash behaviour now, often years after that “moment of glory when I poured water over my boss’s head.”

Exit interview tips

Many organizations perform formal meetings with employees who are leaving, called exit interviews. They do this to provide valuable input on many important things, such as why you left, to uncover any problems or behaviours that should be addressed, and perhaps get some tips on how to improve aspects of the job or workplace in general.

During this meeting, you should provide constructive feedback, and try to be fair when talking about your coworkers and bosses. A statement such as, “So-and-so was a bad boss – a real jerk – and you should fire him/her right away” says much more about your personal judgment and attitudes as an employee than anything about “so-and-so”. These types of statements will be discounted simply as “sour grapes”, whereas a more well-intentioned and constructive “So-and-so has a tough job, with a lot of deadlines and conflicting priorities, which lead to a lot of confrontation and stress for them. I would recommend perhaps providing this person with stress management and/or people management training in order to help the situation” can help your former colleagues much better. Do not attempt to fight their battles for them; if they have valid concerns, they should address them constructively themselves.

When leaving, exit stage right

When you do leave, plan your exit right, and go with style. Typically, employers expect two to three weeks notice from the day you provide written notice. Always give your resignation in writing, and when writing it, be clear, succinct and polite. In its simplest form, a resignation letter is signed, dated and states the effective date of the resignation, and the position from which you are resigning. Keeping your reasons for leaving out of the letter is a wise idea. Offering such statements in writing could jeopardize termination benefits or ruin an otherwise glowing reference, as stated above.

Before you submit your resignation, be sure to take your personal property home and remove any personal files and software from your computer. Once you’ve submitted your letter of resignation, an employer may ask you to leave immediately, or as is usual, assume you will complete your period of notice. Be prepared to offer help through the transition by completing projects that you’re working on, or helping to find and train your replacement. Be careful not to make commitments you cannot keep.

Remember to say goodbye to everyone you have contact with in the organization. Keep comments positive and light – choose your words carefully, and think of their feelings.

Good luck with school!

Michael Mayne, M.B.A., CMA, is Managing Partner and a Certified Professional Career Counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a Career Transition, Counselling, and Outplacement firm. Michael has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for many years, and is Past President and Treasurer of ALS Canada. To contact Michael, visit: www.catalystcareers.com.

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Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.