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Key Takeaways

  • Resigning is a planned, professional, voluntary departure requiring notice.
  • Quitting involves leaving suddenly, which may carry negative consequences.
  • Always check your contract for required notice periods before leaving.
  • A written resignation letter helps ensure a professional departure.
  • Maintain professionalism to preserve reputation and future employment opportunities.

If you're feeling burned out at work or have found a new job, it may be time to resign or quit from your current position.

If you can no longer continue in your current position, it's important to create a resignation letter or notice to make sure you take action as soon as possible before the situation escalates and provide the appropriate notice.

However, it's important to decide whether you should resign or quit.

Below, we'll lay out the difference between quitting and resigning to help you make the best decision for you.

If your job harms your mental or emotional health, consider it a sign to quit or resign to protect your well-being.

What Does it Mean to Resign?

Resigning means voluntarily leaving your job and informing your employer about your decision.

It's possible to resign for various reasons, including finding a better opportunity, changing careers, or leaving a job due to dissatisfaction.

When resigning, employees usually give a notice period from 2 weeks to several months, as per company policy.

The notice period allows the employer to find a replacement and make necessary arrangements.

In most cases, employees must submit a resignation letter stating:

  • their intentions,
  • the date of resignation, and
  • a brief explanation of their reasons for leaving.

Start your Resignation Letter now

Dos and dont's of resigning

If you decide to resign, there are a number of things you should do to leave a positive impression and some things you should avoid.

Dos of resigning Dont's of resigning
Check your contract and give the required amount of notice (usually 2 to 4 weeks). Avoid badmouthing your boss, coworkers, or the company, whether in person, in your letter, or on social media.
Keep it brief, professional, and positive. State your final day clearly. Avoid checking out early when working in your notice period.
Have a face-to-face conversation (or video call) with your boss before telling coworkers or HR. Don't leave your projects in limbo or your files disorganized for the next person.
Help train your replacement or write up detailed handoff notes for your tasks. Do not leave personal files on your work computer, but don't take proprietary company data.

What Does it Mean to Quit?

Quitting means leaving your job suddenly without prior notice, often due to personal reasons, job dissatisfaction, or a new opportunity.

You may lose future job opportunities and face legal consequences if you quit without giving notice or completing your duties. Additionally, explaining your reasons behind quitting without notice to prospective employers can be challenging.

That's why discussing with your employer before quitting is essential. Regardless of the reasons for your departure, keeping a positive attitude and avoiding burning bridges are key to quitting your job professionally.

Start your Two Weeks Notice now

Differences Between Resignation and Quitting

Resignation and quitting are often used interchangeably to describe leaving a job voluntarily, but they have important differences.

Category Resignation Quitting
Notice Giving the employer notice Leaving suddenly
Professionalism More professional Less professional
Future Employment Provides better references May harm future job prospects
Employee Benefits May be entitled to some benefits Not entitled to benefits

Before resigning or quitting, it is important to consider the consequences carefully. When leaving an employer, resigning rather than quitting is often more professional and respectful.

How To Quit or Resign From a Job Properly

To quit a job professionally, you will also need to respect the terms of your employment contract when you submit your notice.

To properly resign from your job with the minimum amount of disruption, it's recommended to follow the steps below.

Write a resignation letter

Create a resignation letter to formally tell your employer that you've decided to move. This will allow your contract to be properly ended and allow the company to plan a replacement for you.

This is the first legal step of leaving your job, so the letter has to look and read well. It will give a professional style and structure to your document and help you include the essential information to correctly quit your job.

Start your Teacher Resignation Letter

Provide the correct notice

One of the most important things a resignation must do is to provide your employer with the correct notice period before you leave.

In most cases, you should give at least two weeks' notice of your intention to terminate your employment. This is normally what is required by law to resign from a job properly. But you can also present an immediate resignation letter.

However, always check your job contract before you decide how much notice to give. You may be contractually obliged to stay for a longer period of time before you leave. If you don't comply with the agreed duration, you may need to pay compensation for the time missed.

Address the matter with your manager

When you resign from a job, it is necessary to have a full and frank discussion with your line manager about your departure. This will not only allow them to understand and acknowledge that you're leaving the company, but it will also let them plan for your replacement.

Sources:

Merriam-Webster - Should you 'quit' or 'resign'? What's the difference?

Key Takeaways

  • Resigning is a planned, professional, voluntary departure requiring notice.
  • Quitting involves leaving suddenly, which may carry negative consequences.
  • Always check your contract for required notice periods before leaving.
  • A written resignation letter helps ensure a professional departure.
  • Maintain professionalism to preserve reputation and future employment opportunities.

If you're feeling burned out at work or have found a new job, it may be time to resign or quit from your current position.

If you can no longer continue in your current position, it's important to create a resignation letter or notice to make sure you take action as soon as possible before the situation escalates and provide the appropriate notice.

However, it's important to decide whether you should resign or quit.

Below, we'll lay out the difference between quitting and resigning to help you make the best decision for you.

If your job harms your mental or emotional health, consider it a sign to quit or resign to protect your well-being.

What Does it Mean to Resign?

Resigning means voluntarily leaving your job and informing your employer about your decision.

It's possible to resign for various reasons, including finding a better opportunity, changing careers, or leaving a job due to dissatisfaction.

When resigning, employees usually give a notice period from 2 weeks to several months, as per company policy.

The notice period allows the employer to find a replacement and make necessary arrangements.

In most cases, employees must submit a resignation letter stating:

  • their intentions,
  • the date of resignation, and
  • a brief explanation of their reasons for leaving.

Start your Resignation Letter now

Dos and dont's of resigning

If you decide to resign, there are a number of things you should do to leave a positive impression and some things you should avoid.

Dos of resigning Dont's of resigning
Check your contract and give the required amount of notice (usually 2 to 4 weeks). Avoid badmouthing your boss, coworkers, or the company, whether in person, in your letter, or on social media.
Keep it brief, professional, and positive. State your final day clearly. Avoid checking out early when working in your notice period.
Have a face-to-face conversation (or video call) with your boss before telling coworkers or HR. Don't leave your projects in limbo or your files disorganized for the next person.
Help train your replacement or write up detailed handoff notes for your tasks. Do not leave personal files on your work computer, but don't take proprietary company data.

What Does it Mean to Quit?

Quitting means leaving your job suddenly without prior notice, often due to personal reasons, job dissatisfaction, or a new opportunity.

You may lose future job opportunities and face legal consequences if you quit without giving notice or completing your duties. Additionally, explaining your reasons behind quitting without notice to prospective employers can be challenging.

That's why discussing with your employer before quitting is essential. Regardless of the reasons for your departure, keeping a positive attitude and avoiding burning bridges are key to quitting your job professionally.

Start your Two Weeks Notice now

Differences Between Resignation and Quitting

Resignation and quitting are often used interchangeably to describe leaving a job voluntarily, but they have important differences.

Category Resignation Quitting
Notice Giving the employer notice Leaving suddenly
Professionalism More professional Less professional
Future Employment Provides better references May harm future job prospects
Employee Benefits May be entitled to some benefits Not entitled to benefits

Before resigning or quitting, it is important to consider the consequences carefully. When leaving an employer, resigning rather than quitting is often more professional and respectful.

How To Quit or Resign From a Job Properly

To quit a job professionally, you will also need to respect the terms of your employment contract when you submit your notice.

To properly resign from your job with the minimum amount of disruption, it's recommended to follow the steps below.

Write a resignation letter

Create a resignation letter to formally tell your employer that you've decided to move. This will allow your contract to be properly ended and allow the company to plan a replacement for you.

This is the first legal step of leaving your job, so the letter has to look and read well. It will give a professional style and structure to your document and help you include the essential information to correctly quit your job.

Start your Teacher Resignation Letter

Provide the correct notice

One of the most important things a resignation must do is to provide your employer with the correct notice period before you leave.

In most cases, you should give at least two weeks' notice of your intention to terminate your employment. This is normally what is required by law to resign from a job properly. But you can also present an immediate resignation letter.

However, always check your job contract before you decide how much notice to give. You may be contractually obliged to stay for a longer period of time before you leave. If you don't comply with the agreed duration, you may need to pay compensation for the time missed.

Address the matter with your manager

When you resign from a job, it is necessary to have a full and frank discussion with your line manager about your departure. This will not only allow them to understand and acknowledge that you're leaving the company, but it will also let them plan for your replacement.

Sources:

Merriam-Webster - Should you 'quit' or 'resign'? What's the difference?