The best-case scenario—and honestly, the most common reaction—is that your boss will accept your resignation with understanding and sincere congratulations. Your manager will be happy to see that you're advancing your career and moving on to something bigger and better.
Leaving a job can be an emotional experience for you and your boss. When you tell your supervisor you're quitting, you are essentially stating that you are firing him as your boss. He may feel shocked, angry, or defensive. He may have to answer to a superior about why you decided to leave.
And, bosses all too often take quitting quite personally. Many bosses will interpret quitting as you abandoning them. In fact, many of my clients have experienced this very occurrence and find it quite traumatic.
A ton of managers take resignations bizarrely personally — acting as if the person leaving has dealt them, and the organization, a callous and devastating blow. But people leave jobs! And sometimes they leave at times that are inconvenient for the employer. That's just a normal part of doing business.
And even if it did get out, most places will understand if you have quit previous places of employment. Everyone has done this and it is very common as people are trying to find the best fit for them and their goals. So quitting a job is not going to go on your record as there is no real record for it to go onto.
A recent survey showed that 80 percent of Great Resignation quitters regret their decision. Though many people left for better work-life balance and mental health, only about half of respondents were satisfied with these things in their new roles.
Let me be clear: No, it is NOT selfish to quit your job for any reason. You are a free agent. You get to make the decisions that make the most sense for your career and your life, regardless of how that impacts others.
The best-case scenario—and honestly, the most common reaction—is that your boss will accept your resignation with understanding and sincere congratulations. Your manager will be happy to see that you're advancing your career and moving on to something bigger and better.
On top of this, “if you quit a job and don't have something else lined up, that is very psychologically uncomfortable for the average person,” says Doman. “Emotionally and neurologically, the brain doesn't like uncertainty or ambiguity.”
Quiet quitting refers to doing the minimum requirements of one's job and putting in no more time, effort, or enthusiasm than absolutely necessary. As such, it is something of a misnomer, since the worker doesn't actually leave their position and continues to collect a salary.
Give thanks for the opportunity and how it's helped you. But don't feel the need to over-explain. You can say something like: "I can't thank you enough for allowing me to grow my skills here, but, after much thought, I've decided it's time for me to move on.
Though employers owe you for any time worked, you can't control when they might decide to withhold pay, including when you leave without notice. You can, however, pursue legal action if payment due to you is withheld, though it can take time and effort on your part to force that to happen.
Why you may regret quitting. You may regret quitting a previous job because factors that led to you leaving your position no longer are important. Finding a better opportunity, pursuing a college degree, relocating or dealing with a personal or family matter may no longer influence your career decisions.
It's a relief to let go of what doesn't work. A relief to move on and spend all that energy on something else. We need to quit, from time to time, in order for something new to enter the stage.
You should try to be as honest as possible about your reasons for leaving a job. The best thing to do to prepare for this question is to write down your reasons. Highlight the ones that are professional in nature, and frame your decision to leave in a positive light.
A toxic workplace is draining
If you are physically and mentally exhausted at the end of each workday, it could be a red flag. As time goes on, you may experience burnout, which is a worldwide epidemic. If left untreated, burnout can even lead to more serious issues like a heart attack or stroke.
Whatever the scenario is, celebrating a new opportunity may have to be put on hold until you put in your two-week's notice. Yes, it can be awkward. Yes, it can be stressful. It's a critically important step to execute gracefully if you want to prevent burning bridges and walk away with a strong recommendation.
Depending on their emotional state at the time of your conversation, your manager may become immediately upset, or even furious that you are resigning. They may feel a sense of betrayal, as well as anxiety about how they will manage the workload without you.
Always be professional, positive and give two weeks' notice to not burn any bridges. No matter what emotions you may be feeling or what circumstances you may be leaving under, you should always be tactful and diplomatic.
One study found that 80% of those who quit their jobs felt regret. Changing economic conditions, evolving workplace flexibility policies, and an undervaluing of coworker relationships are leaving many of those who left jobs during the so-called Great Resignation with resigner's remorse.
Pro tip: Tell your boss that you're quitting your job before you tell your co-workers. If you tell peers first and your boss hears that you're leaving from someone else, “your boss is going to feel sidelined and disrespected, which could undermine your ability to get a good reference,” says Yeager.
Potential negative impact on your professional reputation
That's why you need to carefully consider if leaving your current job without another one lined up is really the right move. However, if you still decide to go for it, make sure you have a good explanation for the gap on your resume.