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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
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. :)
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 ;)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anonymous
June 24th, 2021 11:58pm
Dear you, Let me start by saying that it is absolutely normal to quit a job! A major thing to remember before quitting is to give an early notice. That is usually 2 weeks before you decide to leave the job. Next, try to explain the reasons you choose to leave and avoid showing dissatisfaction with the job or your coworkers. For example, you can say that you enjoyed working there and that it was a great opportunity, however, you want to try something new and that you will be pursuing another job. Finally, remember that leaving a job does not have to be a bad thing, be yourself and be polite about it. :)
SriFromHogwarts
February 20th, 2021 11:12pm
Hi (boss's name)! Do you have a minute? I would love to talk to you about something. I'd just like to start off by thanking you for this job and the opportunities that have been presented to me. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to work for you (however long you have worked here). My colleges have been nothing short of wonderful. I felt so supported and cared for here. You did a great job of maintaining a professional work environment and keeping the atmosphere pleasant. I'm grateful for everything this job has taught me and I hope to work with you again sometime in the future.
thoughtfulPanda2309
February 24th, 2021 11:45am
Announcing your quitting a job is never as easy as it may seem. I have come to realize that even if your boss is not your favorite person in the world, it is still quite the task. But there is also never a perfect way to do or a perfect time to do it at. It is more of a "rip the band aid" kind of thing and to gently rip it, I would say start a little further back - lay out how you have been feeling at your current job, list some positives, list some irritations you've had, explain that this has lead you to decide that it would be in your best health and career development interest to pursue a job path elsewhere. I actually recently quit my job at a place where I quite loved working with my colleagues, and what I reminded myself was that at the end of the day, I am responsible for my happiness, my healthy work-life balance, my development and success.
beachlover0285
March 4th, 2021 5:12am
Let them know in advance, usually the policy is to give about a 2 weeks notice. Simply explain to them the reason you are leaving, whether it be a better opportunity, an offer for money, or even that you just want to gain some new experience. They should understand, and if they give you a hard time about it, kindly ask them to respect your decision, and don't let them guilt you into staying. Your boss will find another employee, and you should not have to feel guilty about leaving to better yourself. Always remember to put yourself and your needs as your first priority!
Tiana33
March 4th, 2021 10:29pm
It can be REALLY helpful to think through and plan out what you want to say before having the conversation. Start by letting your boss know you would like to speak with them and ask to schedule a time to sit one-on-one (face-to-face, ideally) where there are little to no distractions. Keep the conversation as positive as possible, or at least keep it neutral. Going into detail about the reasons you didn’t like your job/the company can result in losing the ability to use them as a reference or get recommendations from them in the future. You also want to keep in mind that they may be contacted to verify your employment, so ending on a good note will be of more benefit to your future and your career growth. You are not required to explain why you are leaving, but the question is often asked. Try thinking about your time there and finding what you have learned and what the positive aspects have been. Be sure to review the company's policies regarding resignation prior to having this conversation and try your best to honor them. It is standard to give at least two weeks’ notice before your last day unless the company policy states otherwise or waiting that long would have a negative impact on your well-being. Offer help with training a current employee to take on some of your tasks and with finding a new candidate for your position, if possible. Be sure to express gratitude for the opportunities, experiences, and trainings that you had working there (remember, they likely helped you grow professionally and contributed to your skill set). If you have any projects you are currently working on, let your boss know what you feel can be completed before you leave and offer to leave some notes on where important files/documents are and other information that is important to know for your role to help make the transition easier.
Cloveyy
March 13th, 2021 8:35pm
Calmly & nicely tell them how you are feeling about the work place or if you have found something better suited to you. Always remain calm even if you are frustrated or mad. You still want to leave on good terms and get your point across. Yelling or being hostile will not get you anywhere 7 will only make the situation worse then it has to be. Always leave your 2 weeks notice. This is polite & respectable. You never know if you will need to use them as a reference or if they can offer you a better position.
AdventurousSpirit123
March 14th, 2021 11:50pm
Assuming you are talking in person, tell them you have a decision you need to share with them. Ask if now is a good time. When you are able to talk, get more-or-less straight to it. Tell them you are moving on. Focus on sharing where you are headed and what the new situation means for you. Don't talk about why you are leaving. If they specifically ask for feedback on things they could do better—and if you decide to give that feedback (feedback is a gift to the person or organization who really wants to improve, but it is a waste of your time and energy if they do not want to improve)—keep the discussion about situations and conditions rather than people. If you have multiple things to give feedback on, order them from the one you believe will be easiest for them to hear to the most difficult. If you reach a point where they aren't responding well, stop. You will want to spend some time thinking through how you will say things before you get to the conversation. Practice in the mirror if you are nervous. Maybe bounce some ideas off a trusted friend if you are struggling to frame things positively. Let's be honest, sometimes your reason for leaving is that your current job sucks. Even then, you can frame your decision in terms of positives. Your employer's inept and erratic scheduling can be reframed as your new opportunity has more consistent scheduling. Too much overtime expected can be reframed as a better work/life balance. Basically, reframe your complaints in terms of the positive benefits you will be enjoying at your new place. I've also found that these conversations go better if I can talk about bigger changes or goals I am pursuing. An opportunity to grow through pursuing a new leadership opportunity, a job that's more in line with what I want to be doing with my career, a schedule that allows me to better support my child's school or community involvement. There are lots of possibilities. But the basic idea is to give them a reason that reflects making a change to progress toward career or life goals.
organticBlueberry5504
March 25th, 2021 9:07pm
Thanks for reaching out! I can sense you are worried about leaving a good final impression in your soon to be former organization. It's completely natural to feel this way! Most people in this world have gone through multiple jobs and have had to quit their jobs at some point in life. Although it is never easy putting in your notice, it's something that most of us have to go through and experience. Ask yourself your reason as to why you are leaving your job? Is it simply because you are unhappy there or you found a new job? You can professionally and maturely state that in your two week notice. You can express your gratitude for the opportunities your company gave you, the colleagues you worked with. All you can do is speak from the heart! Did you feel you grew or learnt a lot from the company? What memories will you take from the company? What are your hopes and goals for your new job? What do you look forward to? It's ok to say you are excited and look forward to a new career or move to a different direction. You are welcome to reach out to one of our listeners or member's on our site for further support!
Anonymous
April 23rd, 2021 5:21pm
If you make a plan to leave then its best to schedule meeting beetween you and your boss. On the day of meeting expain him your situation, your future planning, why you want to leave job?, etc. Also dont forgot to mention that this is the best company and best team you ever had worked, this will help to make positive impression on you boss and things will not goes in bad way if something wrong happened with you and your boss in the past. This is the standard process to tell your boss that you are leaving but you can consider finding more information on specific workplace policies. All the best
Ririki98
April 28th, 2021 9:29am
When you decide it’s time to quit, consider what you want to say. The first person who should know that you are quitting is your boss. Wait for the right time and place to share the news with them. A face-to-face meeting is best. You will want some privacy when you tell them. At the meeting, try to stay calm. Know that these news may shift his mood. So stay grounded and know what you want to say. Share gratitude for the opportunity the job provided. Share what you have achieved and learned since working there. Make sure he knows you will do everything you can to transition your workload to another team member.
Anonymous
May 19th, 2021 4:18pm
Send a polite, warm resignation letter 2-4 weeks before you plan to leave. The norm is 2 weeks so they are able to find someone before you go. Talk about how you enjoyed your time at the company (if you did), what you learnt and what you appreciated from them. Then tell them what your last day will be. If you want to go the extra mile, say you'll help select and train a new recruit before you leave. If you work in a job where there's confidential documents or company property that you have access to, let them know you'll delete it from your personal devices as soon as possible, and hand over the data to them. Then wish them all the best. And a word of advice: don't leave before you find a new job, don't tell other people you are leaving before you tell your boss, and try to maintain good relationships with your coworkers and company so they can help you in the future if you need referrals or anything else. Hope this helps.
hopefulArrow2212
May 28th, 2021 7:18pm
There's a couple of possible scenarios for this: 1) If your boss already knows you are looking for another job that would suit you better, just tell them about the successful interview before you hand in your resignation and they should understand. 2) If your boss does not know and you have decent relations with them but are leaving for personal reasons, also just be cordial and honest with why you are leaving. 3) If you do not have an understanding boss or work environment (i.e. you are leaving because of something negative), it is still better to be professional and upfront about it and say you've been searching for a new job because of certain matters that leave you unable to work for your current company anymore, and so you are leaving and are giving due notice as per HR requirements.
Anonymous
June 9th, 2021 5:01pm
I would tell him/her that I need to talk, then I would tell them about how it’s been so amazing working at the company I am employed at, but I’ve found another job opportunity. I would make sure to be as polite as possible, so I do not get a damaging reputation or record with my boss. I would also inform them about the field and position of my new job. I would plan talking 2 weeks prior to leaving to be polite, and would thank my boss for all the oppurtunities I received during my position at the company.
CrownofBirds22
April 24th, 2022 2:37pm
There are so many ways to do this and it depends entirely on your unique personality and situation. How do you visualize this in your mind? What kinds of things do you want to say? Have you thought about practicing with a trusted friend first before going in to speak with your boss? Ultimately, you have to do what you think is best for you. Think about it and find what is the most comfortable thing for you. If you have doubts or questions, we can always try it out here in a safe and non-judgmental environment .
jlc1284
May 14th, 2022 3:27pm
Although I have appreciated the opportunities you have provided me with, it is time for me to move on and explore other professional opportunities. You aren't required to give them personal information. It is appreciated and appropriate to give as much notice as you can so your position and responsibilities can be taken care of. If you are comfortable doing so, ask if you can assist in training your replacement and if there is anything else they need from you before your notice ends and you move on. Thank them for the experience they provided you with and continue to do a good job until you leave.
GodBeTheGlory12
May 15th, 2022 9:39pm
Its never easy to convey to your supervisor/HR personnel you are leaving an organization especially if you are on great terms with the staff and team members . Nevertheless, life is about constantly moving in directions that foster our growth and development to ensure we realize our true potential at heart. The first step is to ensure you arrange an appropriate time to verbally communicate this decision to your direct supervisor. During this meeting you can opt to give details on why you came to the decision to part ways with the company and also your willingness to assist with facilitating the transition of your role to your replacement. Secondly, a well written, concise and brief letter must be drafted and presented to your HR personnel within the timeframe (usually 2 weeks) as outlined by the institution's policies and procedures to formally notify your decision to resign. Finally, it is best to convey appreciation for the experience gained as well as the opportunities that enabled your growth while apart of the company. Always keep the tone of your notice positive and respectful despite the circumstances under which you have decided to take leave. Hope this helps !
MulberryTree
March 4th, 2022 9:00am
Telling your boss that you're wanting to leave is never an easy task. However when you consider the benefits that leaving will have for you, it doesn't seem so bad. Writing them a letter outlining a brief reasoning for your leaving is always a good way to start, and telling them that you appreciate the opportunity the job gave you can end things on a positive note. Giving two weeks' notice is also a very nice and respectful way to leave so giving your boss adequate notice to find a new employee will help with the employee shortages it may cause. In the end, letting them know about your leaving your position and writing a formal letter will tie up all loose ends without making it seem abrupt.