Although you should strive to give your current employer ample notice before leaving your current position, sometimes situations arise where you might want or need to leave quickly. Whether you’re leaving to address a problem or pursue an opportunity, the circumstances surrounding your departure may be stressful for you. At the same time, your leaving can cause difficulties for your employer and co-workers too.
While this situation can be uncomfortable for you, your employer, and other team members, you can take steps to navigate an immediate resignation in a way that helps smooth things over.
This article explores some reasons you may need to resign immediately and how to do so professionally. We also include a sample to help you draft your resignation letter.
6 reasons you may need to resign immediately
Events may come up in life that requires you to leave your job with little to no notice.
One or more situations may lead you to want or need to resign suddenly from your position.
- A sudden illness. If you or someone in your family suddenly develops a serious illness that will prevent you from working (because you must become a caregiver, for example), you may need to leave your position.
- A sudden opportunity. You may have stumbled on an incredible professional opportunity you can take only if you accept the job offer immediately. While most employers would accommodate your need to give a few weeks’ notices at your former position, some jobs require that you start right away.
- Not being paid. Employers are legally required to pay you for the hours you work. If you’re not being paid, you may want to seek legal counsel and stop working.
- An unexpected life change. You might also encounter a sudden life change that requires you to take immediate action, such as having to move to another part of the country to take care of a family member.
- An unsafe environment. If you feel the work environment isn’t safe, you might also want to leave a position suddenly to protect yourself and your health and safety.
- Experiencing harassment. You might also need to leave the position if you face harassment and your organization doesn’t do anything to rectify the situation or otherwise help you feel safer.
Recognize that regardless of your valid reason for quitting your job, your departure will impact the rest of the office. Often, when someone quits suddenly, their former team members find themselves left “‘holding the bag.”
Being short-handed can make meeting deadlines challenging and can leave them with considerably more work as they take on your responsibilities until a replacement is found. This may lead to resentment and related negative feelings. As you prepare to leave, be aware that you might damage relationships with those you worked with.
For your employer, frustrations can emerge because of the struggle to quickly find a replacement and get them trained so that the business doesn’t lose momentum. At the same time, depending on your situation, many employers and colleagues will feel empathy for you if you face a difficult situation or happiness for you if you face a happy situation.
If you have a strong reason for needing to leave suddenly, you may be able to salvage your relationships by managing the departure well. We walk you through what you should do if you need to leave your position immediately.
How to resign immediately in 5 steps
While you might have a completely valid reason for leaving, it’s important to understand that doing so may impact how your employer and co-workers perceive you.
For example, you may have an employer who refuses to provide a reference during a future job search. They may even be critical of your professionalism in telling potential new employers about your abrupt decision to leave.
Fortunately, specific steps can help you create a smooth transition and prevent you from burning bridges.
1. Have an honest conversation with your employer
The first thing you’ll want to do is speak honestly with your employer. Although you may not look forward to this conversation, the earlier you can do it, the better. Even if you end up giving your supervisor only two or three days’ notice, that can still make the transition easier for them than if you had provided none at all.
Knowing going into the meeting with your employer that the conversation may be tough. You might expect that your employer would be annoyed or angry at this unforeseen development. Remember to stay calm during the conversation, speaking respectfully throughout the meeting.
2. Explain the reason you’re resigning
Provide your employer with a reason for your sudden departure. Although you certainly don’t have to disclose sensitive medical information, letting your boss know why you have to leave so suddenly can help you preserve as much of the relationship as possible. The explanation might help your employer to be a bit more understanding toward you and your situation, even if the sudden departure leaves them in a tough position.
3. Be respectful to the employer and the company
As you navigate the process of notifying everyone about your impending departure, stay respectful of the business as much as possible. Articulate how grateful you are for the job and any opportunities you had to learn and grow as a professional.
You might also offer ways to make the transition easier, such as updating the training manual to help the next person succeed in your role. However, recognize that you are leaving immediately, so don’t be overambitious in offering ongoing support.
Even if it’s your last day, maintain a positive attitude and professional tone.
4. Hand in an immediate resignation letter
Your immediate letter of resignation acts as official documentation for your departure. It will go in your employee file, so make sure to think about your language and wording.
In most situations, you’ll turn in your resignation letter after you’ve spoken with your employer. Give your manager the courtesy of a personal conversation before submitting your resignation letter and before telling your co-workers that you’re leaving.
We’ll explore how to create an effective and professional resignation letter further on in this article.
5. Stay professional in the aftermath
There may be a bit of chaos after you officially submit your resignation. This might include some negative feelings directed at you from colleagues or your supervisor. Stay professional in the aftermath of your resignation, regardless of your reasons for leaving and whether you believe their reactions are justified.
Do your job as well as you can for however many days you have left with the company. Do anything you can to improve the transition to the next worker, such as updating any relevant training documents or jotting down notes for your successor.
If you’ve broken your contract by leaving without the required notice, try to balance any negativity you feel with understanding to preserve relationships as best as possible.
If your employer or the human resources department offers you an exit interview on your final day, take it. Use this last conversation as a chance to again express gratitude for the opportunities you’ve received. If you resign because of an unaddressed problem like harassment, you can also professionally voice these concerns to the company.
How to write an immediate resignation letter
Approach your immediate resignation letter carefully. We provide a few elements to include that can help you remain professional.
1. State your name
Start with a formal heading and address in your letter. Your formal resignation letter should follow the business letter format. A formal heading includes your name and address. You should also provide your email address for replies. This information should go in the upper right-hand corner.
Include the date after the heading. Under this, go back to the left-hand side of the letter and include the information for the addressee. Your addressee will typically be your employer, and you’ll include the company name and address.
2. Explain the reason for the resignation letter
After addressing the letter, move into your reason for the letter. Let your employer know about your intent to resign. If your resignation violates your employment contract, apologize for the sudden departure and articulate that this has happened because of events beyond your control.
3. Detail your last day on the job
Once you’ve stated your reason for writing the letter, note your last day on the job. Keep in mind that you want to give your current employer ample advance notice when you can, even if it won’t be at least two weeks’ notice.
4. Explain the reasons for your immediate resignation
Offering some background information about why you have made the sudden decision to leave your position can be a good idea. As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to provide confidential medical information or go into excessive detail. Still, you want to offer your employer some information regarding why you have made your decision.
You might clarify that you need to resign for health or other personal reasons, for example.
You also have the option to provide limited information in the letter but share a few more details when speaking with your supervisor face-to-face. Let them know that you didn’t foresee the circumstances.
5. Offer a transition plan
Finally, recognize that suddenly leaving your position may put your employer in a tough position. They might not be able to find a replacement before you leave. Acknowledge that this may mean they will be short-staffed for a bit.
Any information or help you can offer through this transitional phase will likely be well-received. For example, you may be able to do a limited amount to update training manuals relevant to your position, make sure your filing system is in order, and compile instructions related to important aspects of your job before you leave.
If acceptable, you might also consider providing contact information and letting your employer know they can contact you if they have any problems during the early transitional period. Doing everything you can to leave on good terms will help preserve the relationship, which may be better for you in the long run, especially if you want a favorable recommendation from this employer someday.
Immediate resignation letter template
Your name
Your address
Your phone number
Your email
Date
Manager’s name
Company address
A formal salutation (Dear Mr./Ms.)
[Introductory sentence that outlines the reason for the letter].
[A sentence that provides the date of your last day on the job].
[A sentence that articulates your reason for leaving].
[A body paragraph or two explainings how much you have appreciated the chance to work at the company, to grow professionally, and anything else you want to include].
[A final sentence requesting any information you need about the last paycheck or other questions you might have].
[A concluding paragraph that articulates what you can do to help with the transition].
[A formal closing, your typed name, and your handwritten signature]
Immediate resignation letter sample
Jamie Smith
123 Main Street
Somerset, State
123-456-7890
jsmith@email.com
April XX, 20XX
Allan Carter
Manager at Excellent Company
456 Center Street
Somerset, State
Dear Mr. Carter,
I am writing to formally provide notice that I need to resign from my position with Excellent Company immediately. My last day will be Friday, April XX, 20XX.
Please accept my apologies for not having been able to provide earlier notice. However, I have experienced a sudden, unexpected life change that has left me unable to fulfill my duties.
I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with you and the rest of the team at Excellent Company. I have been able to grow as a professional, and I will fondly remember my experience with everyone here.
I will be able to stop by the office on Friday, April XX, to pick up my last paycheck. Please let me know if there is anything else I need to take care of to complete this process.
I will look for any means to make this transition easier for you. I know that this sudden resignation may cause some challenges for the team. Therefore, I will update the training documents I received four years ago for the new replacement before Friday.
I have also left my email address. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions concerning any in-progress work.
Thank you for all of these years of working together and for your understanding of this situation.
Best regards,
[handwritten signature]
Jamie Smith
Stay respectful and professional
Suddenly leaving a position can present problems for your current employer, even if your reason is completely justified. The good news is that maintaining professionalism and following the steps outlined above can help you make the transition happen as smoothly as possible. Good communications can also help you maintain positive relationships with your former co-workers and employer.
As you transition from your former position and look for a new job, consider the benefits of picking up work as an independent professional on Upwork. The flexibility that comes with choosing your work and clients might be exactly what you need in a time of transition.
