Leaving Your Job? Essential Do's and Don'ts to Ensure a Smooth Transition

Hi Friends,

It will be helpful if we could compile a list of Do's and Don'ts for those who are leaving an organization to join another. I have listed a few from my experience. I'm sure many of you will have more tips to add to help those who are about to resign.

Do's
1: Adhere to all procedures starting from submitting resignation - notice period, not absenting, not taking leave, etc.
2: Pass on as much info as possible for a smooth takeover of a successor to your role.
3: Keep your boss informed of pending issues.

Don'ts
1: Don't leave without proper papers of relieving even if the organization you are going to join says it does not matter.
2: Don't inform everyone that you are leaving; keep only those who matter to you informed.
3: Don't listen to appeasements and appeals for staying back; it will backfire once you withdraw resignation.

Best Regards,
KayBee

One of my friends gave a 2-month notice to the company as per rules. He served one month and then fell sick and was in the hospital for one month. Does the 1 month in hospital count as notice period? Knowledge transfer was completed before he fell sick. I think the company got enough time to get a new replacement. What does the law say? Does he have to serve one more month? Can he take sick leave since he was hospitalized?

Hi,

Leave the organization with pride.
Keep in touch always whenever the company needs help.

Regards,
Bee

Hi,

Nice to see the tips. At the same time, if you are an HR Manager, please go to the department and individually thank everyone before leaving. Don't fly away without even looking at them. They have remained because of your words and approach. So thank them and say goodbye. In some companies, other managers may feel, 'Why is this guy unnecessarily meeting everyone before leaving?' But if the staff members have been so supportive to you in the retention, then do say thanks/ goodbye. Cultivate your own style of culture and be a role model.

Regards, Chandru Manager-HR, Chennai

Hi,

Yes, he should get paid for his sick leave days provided such sickness is proved by an authorized medical practitioner. Just check your country's Labor Law, which shall indicate how many weeks of sick leave you need to pay full or half for such leave days. If it's proved by a medical report, then you have to adhere and pay; otherwise, it could be legally unethical.

Regards,
Shahed

My share of inputs:

Dos:
1. If possible, document the handover details and share the same with the concerned.
2. If required, extend help even after your relieving - This will help you in getting good feedback about you.
3. With the permission of your reporting authority, communicate to everyone that you are leaving the company, if needed, to your clients or vendors.

Don'ts:
1. Do not rub with anyone or leave on a bitter note, even if you are not happy with the team or superior, because the world is very small, and you may get opportunities with the same organization within a few years.

Hi,

Thank you for the tip. Could you please inform me about the number of days required for completing exit formalities?

Is there a specific rule that dictates the timeframe within which full and final settlement must be completed for an employee?

Thank you,
Angela

To add further:

1) Claim all your pending reimbursements.
2) Try as far as possible not to disclose your new employer details.
3) Take back your personal belongings, backups, etc.
4) Treat office equipment provided to you (laptop, mobile phones, furniture, etc.) with great care until your last day in the office.
5) Inform your credit card/mobile bills, etc., and other service providers that effective from such and such date, the bills should be directed to your home address/new address.

In our organization, we request the resigning employee to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Travel Agents/Taxi Operators (to prevent the company from receiving bills from these places after the employee leaves).

Don't - Never speak ill about the existing office/management/people (at least until you finally leave and your settlements are made).

Cheers

Hi All,

Thrilled to see a good number of responses...! I only have this to add - make the separation painful for both you and the company you leave (in the positive sense). Be careful in promising anything to the new company you are going to work with.

For those who are itching to switch jobs too often, just remember the old proverb "Rolling stones gather no mass." Adapting is never easy, however lucrative the offer may be. You always have to make a fresh start. Are you prepared?

But for those who feel underemployed and are going to switch jobs, do not criticize the processes. Just give a few possible suggestions and handle exit interviews carefully.

Thank you Sureshanath, Venkatesr, and Chandru for chipping in with your suggestions.

Look forward to more participation.

Best Regards,
KayBee

Hi,

This is an important tip, my friend. Everyone who is leaving the organization should know this.

Regards,
Raju HR :icon1:

Hi Mr. Pramodhch,

Actually, the notice period is made compulsory to provide a sufficient time period for the company to look for an alternative resource. So, the unavoidable circumstance that happened to your friend is always acceptable. Even the knowledge transfer was also completed before he took leave. No problem on this.

Hi KB,

Good topic.

Usually, each company has its own rules and regulations to be adhered to. In general, to get a clean chit of your accounts, loans, advances, surrender of ID card, surrender of email ID, and any sensitive passwords, books, journals, project reports, etc., that one is actively working on, take time to thank those who really extended a lot of help and support in whatever department they may be, etc.

It is also good to see that some departments do organize a farewell party and speak a few words of praise about the person who is leaving and what good practices or culture he is leaving behind and how richly he deserves the next assignment in line with his expertise, skills, career goals, and aspirations, etc. Every employee is a true ambassador of the organization, and the separation/parting should always be a smooth and pleasant one.

Hope the above helps.

Cheers and good luck, Raman