Quit with finesse, leave good impression, experts say

Ever feel like just quitting your job and taking off on vacation?

A former co-worker of a friend of mine did just that — but in reverse order.

This woman left on a week’s vacation to Vegas and, from her hotel, faxed her resignation letter to her manager.

“We all kinda cheered,” admitted Robin Shaw, my high school classmate and a former government employee.

My friends Rachel Howard and Maria Cornwell have witnessed other resignations delivered with similarly poor judgment.

“I’ve seen a woman call a couple hours into her shift and say she’s moved out of town,” said Howard, who’s a college student and cashier at Walmart. “She was never to be seen again, though she expects a transfer.”

Cornwell “saw some doozies” over the five years she worked for a promotional products company.

“Several folks went to lunch and never came back. One sent a scathing drunken email at 2 a.m.,” she said.

Even the boss’ mother quit or got fired — and came back — at least six times while she was there, Cornwell said.

For many reasons, experts recommend workers leave their jobs on good terms.

Cheryl Hyatt of Pittsburgh-based HyattFennell executive search firm said, “Once you have accepted a new position, it can be easy to mentally check out of your current job, but that would be a huge mistake.

“Your current colleagues are integral to the future success of your career,” she said.

Hyatt recommends the following five tips to resigning employees:

•Give adequate notice. Do

supervisors the courtesy of telling them first.

•Finish projects and maintain quality work to the end. Your reputation is one of your most important career assets.

•Create a file outlining key contacts, information and

upcoming deadlines. Make an appointment to go over this with your supervisor and/or replacement before you leave, so you can answer any questions.

•Connect with colleagues inperson and online, so you can stay in touch.

•Thank supervisors and

co-workers. There’s likely plenty with which you’re fed up, but focus on the positive as you go.

Mike Crandall, of Sandler Training in Oklahoma City, agrees with Hyatt’s tips.

He also suggests “saying nice things on social media, maybe writing some recommendations on LinkedIn, and offering to be a resource for questions that are likely to come up.”

Crandall has seen many good and bad handling of resignations.

“One lady did an amazing job passing critical info to the company, communicating with her clients, prospects, co-workers and bosses,” he said.

“Later, when a more senior role opened up, they actually reached out to her and recruited her back to their company.”

Conversely, Crandall saw one man intentionally do everything possible to make the transition difficult, including bad-mouthing the company to prospects and clients, and stealing some clients.

“The funny part is he went to a competitor, who was later bought by his old employer. And as you can imagine, he was let go as soon as the sale was finished,” Crandall said.

Edmond social worker Devonne Carter isn’t surprised.

“The Boomerang Era is occurring in the workplace,” Carter said. “Folks are let go or leave and are hired back later. So it’s best to leave on good terms.”