YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

I RESIGNED, BUT AM FEELING I MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE. CAN I TAKE IT BACK BEFORE I’VE SERVED MY NOTICE?

EXPERIENCED DARREN BUCHANAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, HAYS QUEENSLAND

I suggest you consult a legal expert or the Fair Work Ombudsman to understand legally where you stand. Retracting your resignation will require an open and honest conversation with your direct manager and/or HR about how and why your original motivation for wanting to move on has changed. Demonstrate the benefits to the business of you remaining in your role. Expect to be asked questions about your loyalty so have an answer ready, and work hard to rebuild trust. You’ll also need to formally retract your resignation letter in a new letter that briefly explains your decision.

MID-CAREER SINEAD HOURIGAN BRISBANE DIRECTOR, ROBERT WALTERS

Before backtracking on the decision, you should definitely stop and think clearly about why you decided to resign in the first place. Sometimes, people get cold feet about moving to a new role and this is understandable but shouldn’t be the reason why you decide to stay where you are. It can be very helpful to have a conversation with a trusted friend. If you definitely feel you have made the wrong decision, you should speak to your direct line manager and see what can be done to reverse the decision. It’s not always that easy to unravel a resignation but it is certainly not unheard of.

UP & COMING JULIE FORD SENIOR EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT, McARTHUR

In most cases, once you have given your resignation, your employer is not obliged to take you back if you attempt to rescind your resignation. However, there is an important exception to the law if you can prove you resigned ”in the heat of the moment”. In these cases, such as delivered verbally during an angry outburst, case law has determined employers should insist they receive written confirmation of the resignation within a reasonable time period, allowing the employee time to ”cool off”. The key point is to ensure you communicate with HR as soon as possible afterwards.

THE EXPERT DR NERIDA HILLBERG DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, FERRIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS

By resigning, you have terminated your employment agreement. Your employer is under no obligation to allow you to retract this. You are in a better position if you resigned verbally and ”in the heat of the moment” as opposed to submitting a written resignation letter. Unfortunately, in resigning, it can be perceived that you have a lack of dedication and commitment to your current employer. My advice regarding resignations is only do so when you have a new job to go to, and have signed a written employment agreement with the new organisation.