How Do I Handle a Boss Who Refuses to Accept My Resignation? Seeking Advice!

Hi All, I need advice from all of you regarding a problem on the job front. I have decided to quit a job of which I am a veteran for around 2.5 years. The reason for quitting is that in July 2014, they restructured the organization and placed me in a job role that is not to my liking.

During the restructuring, my previous boss also resigned (I had worked with him for 2 years). Now, I have a boss from another vertical, so our interactions are minimal.

I searched for jobs and found one with a more ethical group of companies. I informed my current boss about my resignation over the phone. He requested two days as he was out of town. After two days, I called him, and we had a lengthy conversation. He continuously urged me not to resign. Despite this, I submitted the resignation letter via email. He replied, "Your resignation is not accepted."

An hour later, I called him again, trying to convince him to release me, but he refused. I then sent another email stating that I do not wish to continue with them. Once again, he replied, "Your resignation is not accepted."

In this regard, I seek your advice on what I should do. My new employer is asking for a resignation acceptance letter. Please help.

Regards,

Did you tell him about your offer in the new company or not? Despite sending two emails to your present boss, he does not want to relieve you from the services of the company. It means he requires your presence and, as such, does not want to let you go. Do one thing, meet him in person and tell him about your personal problems or the offer you received elsewhere. Inform him that if he offers the same package or designation as the new employer, you would continue; otherwise, you will leave the present company. He then has two options: either to enhance your current pay with the designation you were offered by the new employer or to accept your resignation without protest.

If, despite the above, he does not want to either relieve you or enhance your current package, then you should submit another resignation by providing notice as per your appointment order or make a payment in lieu of notice to obtain the relieving order. Even if he does not want to relieve you, inform the new employer of the situation. If they agree to take you on without a relieving letter from the current company, you can proceed to join them. Afterward, you need not worry about the terms of the appointment order and can simply leave the services of your present company.

Regards,

Thank you very much for your suggestion. The following points will clarify my stand:

Reason for Resignation

A. I am resigning not because of dissatisfaction regarding the pay package but because of bad organizational culture and work ethics. I have seen the recruitment of employees without any sense and terminating them abruptly. I have witnessed my ex-boss resigning after serving the company for 20+ years due to pressure from higher management under the pretext of organizational restructuring.

B. For the last 6 months, they have not provided me with any concrete Key Result Areas (KRAs) that can be measured objectively.

C. The present boss is trying to keep me by promising important assignments, stating he would take me with him, etc., which are vague and not concrete in any respect.

Current Situation

1. I have sent the resignation email using my official mail, and the boss's reply was "Not accepted."

2. I do not have any outstanding dues towards the company like loans, etc.

3. Never in my 2.5 years of tenure have I received any warning letters or notices of a performance improvement plan.

4. My notice period is 60 days as per the appointment letter. I have given them a notice period of 20 days, and the remaining 40 days will be adjusted against my accumulated leave.

5. Currently, I am not involved in any important projects or groups.

6. I have clearly informed HR of my resignation and have asked them to list out the documents that I need to submit. I have also clearly stated my last working day.

Please suggest.

Please send an email stating that you are resigning and thanking your current manager for the encouragement and help. Mention that you intend to move on, and your last working day will be '......'. Also, indicate that you will be available to hand over/transfer knowledge.

In closing, reiterate that you enjoyed your time here and that you are saddened to leave a place you considered a second home. Express your hope to return someday, equipped with better skills to take things to the next level.

Copy (Cc) your HR personnel and the manager's boss so everyone is aware.

Hope this helps.