Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How do I tell my boss I'm leaving? (nicely)?

216 Answers
Last Updated: 06/15/2022 at 10:19am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Jill Kapil, PsyD

Psychologist

I have over 9 years of clinical experience, specialize in anxiety, and am passionate about my work. My approach is collaborative, empathic, supportive, and goal-oriented.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
February 3rd, 2018 3:55am
Have a private talk with your boss. Tell them the good about the job first and then slowly talking into the topic. Talk about your future plan and how you planning on that.
PrettyCupcake00
March 1st, 2018 6:42am
Hey love! You should hand him a resignation letter and whiling giving it to him politely make him understand the reason behind you quitting.
BonViveur
January 7th, 2018 1:08am
You should speak to them privately, try to say something positive about your experience working for them, perhaps thank them for employing you, and simply tell them that you wish to give notice that you are leaving.
ReassuringRey
October 27th, 2018 6:14pm
First off, I'm so proud of you for thinking about how to approach your boss in this type of situation. It can be hard to explain this choice nicely and effectively and for you to stop and think about how to do it is truly something to be proud of. What I would encourage is for you to make a list on the reasons why you're leaving and go from there. Maybe it's for mental health reasons, pay, other commitments, etc., but telling your boss these reasons in an appropriate, calm, matter-of-fact manner can help you organize your thoughts, give clear reasoning on your departure, and show that you truly thought through how to approach this situation and that you still cared about the job you're working for.
endearingWaves15
November 11th, 2018 2:55pm
Rule number one: never burn bridges. If you are leaving your for a better endeavor, do the right thing and give a proper notice. Write a resignation letter and hand-deliver it, on nice paper. There are many resources online that will help you craft a proper resignation letter. I've even seen people that have put their resignation letter on a cake and delivered it to their higher-ups! The important thing is that you don't burn the bridge and you leave the right way. Now, if you're just telling your boss that you're leaving for the day, simply clean up your work area and say "I'm leaving for the day. Have a good night." Firm, concise, and polite!
SundancerPipeholder
May 19th, 2018 2:10am
I have been through this many times, every time I told my boss I had another job they gave me more money. Explain to them you have another opertuinty for more m9ney and advancement, no hard feelings. Never burn a bridge you may need that bridge later
Anonymous
June 27th, 2018 9:54pm
Bake them a cake that says "I quit" OR "Sorry for your loss (it's me, I quit") That way, they get cake.
Anonymous
February 5th, 2020 12:10am
I would just thank them for the opportunity. I was honored to be part of your team. There are just other avenues I feel I want to pursue in my life. And I wish you continued success in the future. Thank you again for the opportunity I appreciate it. Short and sweet, I've always just gotten straight to the point. Thank them for the opportunity wish them continued success and went on my Merry way. No use in dragging it out and making it awkward. If you didn't like the job there's no need to criticize it, unless you're asked ways you think the job could be improved.
amiableSun7287
July 21st, 2019 2:37pm
Of course, this would depend on the relationship you have with your boss- a closer relationship might have more casual wording and specifics, while one that is more distant might be more generic and formal: Hi [Boss' name], I want to let you know that I've decided to resign from [position] to pursue a new opportunity. I appreciate the experience and learning I've gained while working at [workplace], but feel it's time for me to move in a different direction. I wish the best for you and [team/company/initiative/etc.] going forward. I am intending my last day to be [date]. Happy to discuss more in person/Thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of [team/workplace] [Signature]
SparklyCierra
June 14th, 2020 5:13pm
Leaving a current workplace is almost never easy. This can be especially difficult if you have a more personal relationship with your boss. Leaving someone that you enjoy having lunch with or joking with everyday can really feel like an emotional loss. One way to overcome this is to take a step back and examine what you are really leaving: your job. This job is not your entire life and should be treated as such. This does not mean that you need to leave the relationships you've made during your time at a specific job. Once you've made that distinction, the best way to leave a job is with a professional resignation letter in advance. If you want to maintain a relationship with a boss or coworker, you can tell them in a personal conversation along with the letter.
slavont
July 14th, 2018 2:09am
The best thing to do is to put in a 2-week notice that you are quitting your job, that's the most professional way of doing so.
SoothSayer42
June 3rd, 2020 8:48am
First, dont let them hear from elsewhere. But regardless of that, once you have finalised your move, have a meeting with them. 1 on 1. Sit down and let them know that you have come accross this wonderful opportunity and you think that it will benefit you in so and so way. And that you have decided to take it up and pursue it. Tell them thanks for all their support and help in the development of you career. Give them honest appreciation for anything they have done. If you were dissatified with your job for some reason, tell them in the nicest way you can possible. Then offer to work with them to ensure your transition wouldn't affect their team/plans. You will give all necessary knowledge transfers and transition meetings. Train some people in what you have been working on. Work out this plan with them and say that you're committed to help them out with the transition uptil your very last day. Ask them for their feedback on you as well.
SmilesToSmile
May 2nd, 2020 8:57am
If you've decided to leave your job for a new opportunity, its always a good idea to do so gracefully. If possible, give your current employer sufficient notice and if you're willing and it's relevant to your employer, let them know if you're happy to help with creating interview questions or assisting in finding a replacement. In terms of telling them you're leaving be sure to thank them for your time and the opportunity to learn and develop skills. A tactful way to explain why you're leaving might be that the new role allows you to learn a new skill set or fits your personal circumstances/lifestyle focus better at this point in time.
Missgypsy007
April 8th, 2020 10:56am
I would ask to speak to my boss and have a face to face meeting. When she is available to sit with me privately, I would proceed to tell her that I have enjoyed working for her and that it is time for me to move on to another job. I would thank her for everything she had done for me and what a great boss she has been. I would ask if we could stay in contact in the future because I appreciate and respect her as a boss as well as a person and would like to maintain a connection.
FriendlyFlounder
April 5th, 2020 9:39pm
I think you should explain to your boss why are leaving. Reinsure them of your relationship with each other and just be honest. Express your opinions, feelings and emotions. Your tone and choice of words is also very important in the situation. You should establish what you're going to say and how you are going to say it before you decide to talk to your boss. It's important that if at any point during the conversation, you say something you think has been misconstrued, that you apologize and explain yourself. You should also tell your boss that you needed to do this for your own well-being and that if at any point during the conversation that they are hurt, upset, or disagree with something you have said, that they make it known to you. It's important for you and your boss to have an understanding during this situation. The most important part of relationships are communication and reciprocation. I hope everything goes well!
Anonymous
April 5th, 2020 5:01am
Just be polite and respectful. You can give them further notice if you can so they can prepare for you being gone. Some places consider it customary. Just be sure to explain everything out in detail and be nice about it. You do not ever have to share more details than you feel comfortable with to your boss. But that individual does have the right to know why you are leaving, what date and the fact that you are leaving in the first place. You owe them that much at the least. Even if you do not like the job or the person, it is best to leave on decently good terms.
SirJayalot
April 4th, 2020 5:36am
Be sure you know exactly what your message is before you approach your boss. Even if you are leaving on good terms, the conversation is likely to be awkward and difficult. You don't want to stumble over your words. At the same time, you want to be firm in your decision and prepared for any potential questions or objections your manager brings up. Are you prepared to say no to a counteroffer? What if your manager asks you to reconsider and suggests picking up the conversation in a few days? What if he or she gets emotional? (It could happen, especially if you're a key member of the team, or you have a close relationship with your boss.) Keep the meeting professional and, above all, don’t give in to the urge to vent about your job. Just some things to consider IMO ;)
NoelLikesSunsets
March 28th, 2020 5:02am
You could try explaining to your boss that you are interested in pursuing another path to develop some different skills that your current job can't provide. It provides some closure for your boss to know that you want to try something else, but does not make your boss feel like they are the ones at fault. Sometimes, you've just got to spread your wings and try something new! It can be nice to share with your boss some good memories or things you learned from your time with them, and to let them know that you will take these skills you developed with them into the future with you. :)
Anonymous
March 21st, 2020 12:42am
You can ask for an in-person meeting with your boss, and thank them for the opportunity that you got to spend with them as part of the team however a new offer presented itself and after much consideration with myself (and my family) I ended up going with the new position. However I will look fondly upon the time I spent here. And I definitely want to keep in touch. If they wrote your reference letter thank them for that as well. Then be sure to tell them when you're leaving and that you're willing to help train your replacement in the meantime. Also be sure to say goodbye to the rest of the office and leave on good terms.
kindDreamer9743
March 8th, 2020 1:46pm
The best way to leave your current employer is with dignity and do not burn your bridges as that could come back to bite you later on! simply ask your boss if you could speak to him at the end of your shift and out of ear shot from other colleagues and tell him/her its time for you to move on and try something else although you have enjoyed working there (whether you did or not) and you have learnt a great deal which your very grateful for as well as the opportunity to work there, by the time you deliver this message to the said boss its best to follow it up with a polite written resignation stating the length of time you intend to work your notice and always leave on a positive and a handshake.
StroggCore
February 10th, 2020 10:38am
Had a same problem when I decided to quit. It was hard for me, to be honest. Because my boss was a cool guy. But I wanted something bigger. I opened my own office at Coworking platform and started to earn money. My boss was not only a cool guy, he was also a smart one. And so, after I left, we met again and become something like partners. We have a cooperation right now: if he has too much work to do, he gives a part of it to my guys and I do the same stuff with his people.
Anonymous
February 5th, 2020 6:01pm
tell him/her that you will be taking up a new job opportunity or you will be leaving and that you enjoyed working with him/her. don't be rude, but just hope that he/she will understand, it is not your fault for leaving. let them know it not their fault you are leaving, make sure they know you enjoyed working at the company/ in their business, but you can not continue in the future. just do your best to be kind, and don't lay the news down the second you're leaving, let them know maybe at least a week in advance preferably a month.
bellarina74
February 1st, 2020 11:06am
Making the decision to change the organisation you are employed by can leave you feeling extremely anxious. Transitioning to a new job is stressful enough without having to worry how you boss is going to take the news of losing a team member. It is not an easy conversation to have, especially if the company has invested a lot of time in training you. However, you need to do what is best for you and what is going to make you happy. Whilst we all like to think we are indispensable, we are not. Your boss may initially unhappy but they will find a replacement for you soon enough.
Rebeccca33
September 3rd, 2020 2:40am
In a situation like this, respect and appreciation is key. I would start that difficult situation by thanking my boss for providing me with a job for however long my employment duration was, and by saying how much you learned while you were with that company. I would then explain that I felt it was best for me and my future to seek other opportunities and explore new paths and that although I have been fortunate to work with the company, that I feel my skills or abilities or talents would be more beneficial elsewhere. I would end the conversation with again thanking my boss for the opportunity, the new skills I learned, and allowing me to grow with the company.
Jayyc
October 23rd, 2019 4:58pm
It can be very hard to tell your boss that you are thinking to leave your job. The best thing to do is have a quiet word with them to give them a heads up, this shows them respect and will make you look professional. You will then need to follow this up with a notice letter providing them the reasons for your decision and how the date of your final day. Usually, depending on your contract you will usually give them a weeks notice if you don’t have a contract. I have a look at your contract and state how many weeks you will work your notice before your last day.
Chlorophyll123
September 27th, 2019 6:25pm
Honesty is key. Don't put it off for too long. the longer you wait the worse it gets, because youll have to serve your notice period. Keep it curt, keep it professional and refrain from getting into too many personal details.
Anonymous
June 28th, 2018 11:22am
I am leaving. Good bye and call me if you need me for anything. You have been wonderful but I need to see the world.
OneBeathAtATime
July 1st, 2018 8:08am
Tell them (even if you don't mean it entirely) that you appreciate the opportunity and experience it gave you. Give a 2 week notice if possible. If you really love the job you're in but things are not quite nice there (atmosphere), maybe ask and give feedback of how it could get better.
Anonymous
August 12th, 2018 10:58am
I have learnt a lot from all my colleagues here and appreciate your leadership and support in helping me grow in my career. The time has come for me to pursue my interests in other areas, and I am sad to let you know that I have to leave you all.
bouncyCandy44
August 3rd, 2018 9:24pm
I just went through this! Ask to speak to them privately, say how much the company means to you but then that you're putting in your 2 weeks notice.