Etiquette for Quitting Your Job Gracefully

Over the years as I've worked for various companies it's been interesting to watch as certain individuals make their exit from a company and how they handle themselves.

As I find myself in this very situation at the moment of moving onto greener pastures (and it's one that most of us will deal with at one time or another) I wanted to share the proper etiquette of leaving a company with style and grace.


1. Giving Notice- I don't know of a single employer that wouldn't be thankful that you gave the appropriate amount of notice. Two weeks is the standard however other jobs do require more time to fill your position. Be sure to review your company's handbook if you are unsure and give as much notice as you possibly can. It's also appropriate to provide a letter of resignation, which leaves things on a positive note as you thank the company for the opportunity and share how you've grown career-wise.

No matter how stressful or horrific your working environment might have become for you, it's not okay to just stop showing up or arrive in the morning announcing on the spot that you are quitting. Usually such declarations are emotional ones that aren't always thought through. Sleep on it if you feel this way (I've been there a couple times myself where I've felt like walking out but I pressed on and found myself there weeks/months later making a much more dignified exit when the time came).

 Sometimes in life we have the best intentions but a wonderful opportunity presents itself with time limits. Do your best to gain as much time as you can before jumping ship, letting the new employer know that you pride yourself in being respectful and professional. Given that they'd probably prefer the same level of respect, they should be able to work with you. If not, (depending on your role and degree of responsibility) you may wish to put together a small reference book or manual to make it easier for the company and the new employee who will fill your shoes. At the end of the day it's your future, so don't let a great opportunity pass you by if a current employer is giving your grief over not quite providing the full notice. Nothing is perfect in life, know that you did all that you could.

2. Keep Quiet About Quitting- It's hard not to share great news when you land the job of your dreams but it's best to keep things hush hush around other employees until you tell your boss. Should word get out and it is not from you firsthand, it will create uncomfortable interaction with your boss and it is not at all professional. Plan in advance how you'll share your news, rehearse if you have to and create talking points so you don't end up rambling or saying something that you might be unhappy with later. Your message should be consistent across the board. In other words, don't tell your colleagues one thing and your boss another.


3. Business as Usual- One of the most disappointing things I've witnessed is colleagues that have given notice and even though they are still on company time, they choose to slack off; act as if the company's rules don't still apply to them, wear overly casual or inappropriate work attire, rack up expenses or steal office supplies. I've also noticed that some show up late and call in sick multiple times when they are not to take time off before their new job and generally take on a 'do as little as possible' attitude, particularly if they grew tired of the company or their role.

Being a professional, elegant woman means ending your time with the same work ethic that you came in with. The classy woman is hardworking, she represents the company and herself well at all times and doesn't draw too much attention to herself after making he intentions to leave known. She avoids spending hours of precious work time gossiping and discussing her transition with colleagues. There is nothing wrong with sharing some details about the new job with a very close co-worker that one lunches with daily, but it must kept outside of the office and only if it is someone that can be trusted to be discrete.

4. Exit Gracefully- Within many companies it's not uncommon to have a boss want to sit down with you for an exit interview.  They may be curious why you are leaving, some may even ask what they can do to change your mind so you’ll stay and may offer you a salary increase, etc. (I've experienced this a few times in the past, which is always a nice compliment). It's best to keep things on a high note. Even if you and your peers or management did not see eye-to-eye, this is not the time to tell your boss how you really feel. Your final impressions are everything and linger on long after you're gone, so keep it short and sweet and to the point. In the age of LinkedIn and other career building and social networking sites, it may be to your advantage to keep them in your corner for future related opportunities.

5. Focus on the Positives- In most job transition scenarios there isn't much time other than perhaps a weekend between your old job and your shiny new opportunity. Be careful not to carry baggage or negative energy to the new company if things didn't end the way you had hoped. Take everything wonderful that you've learned and use it to your advantage. Perhaps the company was often unprofessional or disorganized but offered great sales training. Be thankful for what you received and what that previous opportunity offered. Perhaps it was a job that pushed you to the limits in every conceivable way, however it likely prepared you in a greater way for the one you'll be moving onto next or something else further in time. There are so many areas of personal development and growth from time management, networking, customer relationships, business relationships to communication skills, and the list goes on. Make a list of what you learned and are grateful for. Even if you did not feel challenged and disliked the position, be thankful for the paycheck it provided.

Be sure to thank anyone that you've worked with who helped you along the way, made your life easier (ie: your assistant) and those that made your working environment a positive or happy place to go into work (if it was).  In my remaining time at my current job I can think of several individuals who made me laugh regularly and those that made the not-so-great days at work so much better. One lady in particular who calls me her 'work BFF' will be getting a big hug on my last day. It's so lovely to have met someone that in the past 7.5 months I can call a sweet friend.

I'd love to hear how you gracefully transitioned to a new position, company or how you may have made it easier for the person filling your shoes upon your departure.

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Office Manners: Cubicle Etiquette

A few days ago a reader e-mailed me with a workplace etiquette question as she works in a cubicle and had to sit relatively close to another woman who does inappropriate things in the office. It reminded me of an article I originally wrote back in 2006 after witnessing a lot of inappropriate behavior while spending 6 years working in a cubicle while in corporate sales. The tips from my article are below.

I know this topic may not be one that everyone can relate to as you might work from home, an enclosed office or may not work at all but I thought I'd share this post as many employees are offended by their colleagues behavior and actions within the workplace.

{fanciest cubicle I've ever seen!}

How is it that when so many people have been exposed to working in close proximity to one another that we still have to contend with colleagues that are so loud, distracting, irritating, self-centered and out of control?!

1. Your Desk- Do place pictures of your family or significant other on your desk but limit it to no more than three. You are not in jail, you will likely see some of these people when you go home! A collage of photos on your desk not only makes you look like a daydreamer, but it can look cluttered which is inconsiderate. Keep it simple and everyone will be happy. It goes without saying, no offensive photos of or anything that would  make other colleagues feel uncomfortable such as vulgar pictures or calendars. Not only is it rude, but you’ll likely have your HR department speaking to you very soon.



2. Speaker Phones- It is never okay during office hours to use your speaker phone. This is loud, distracting and just plain rude. Unless your cubicle has a door and a roof, I don’t recommend this. Use a headset if you like to be hands-free from the phone while on a conference call or taking notes on a call. This not only is quiet but it is great for keeping noise out of your ears while your are not on the phone and simply just typing or working on a presentation etc.


3. Getting personal during work hours-Do not make personal phone calls to family and friends that involve arguing, raising your voice or offering personal details, if you have to make a call keep it brief. Instead, take your cell phone outside of the office, or sit in your car during your lunch break. This is an office, not your living room. You'll not only look like a fool, but you could embarrass yourself and others with this behavior. If you’re really lucky you might even have rumors spread around the office about you.


4. Strictly Business- Refrain from sending jokes or other 'junk' email at work to your friends or cubicle neighbors. Colleagues are at work to make money and get their job done, not read endless jokes. Never mind being irritating, if your email gets in the wrong hands you will be perceived as a lazy worker and depending on the content of the email, could even be fired.


5. Knock before Entering-Never barge into a colleague’s cubicle. Treat their personal space as if it was an office with a door. You would need to knock to come in whether the door was opened or closed so a cubicle should be no different. Knock on the desk or gently let the person know you are there. If they are on the phone, it is a no-brainer, don’t interrupt! I can't count the times that people used to come by my desk and try to talk to me while I was on the phone with a client. Treat everyone’s space with respect even though you all share the same greater office space.


6. Noise-As a basic rule, keep your voice down. If you are on the phone, great, but remember so is everyone else. Especially if you are just chatting on your lunch hour with a colleague be cognizant of the fact that other people are still working and their schedule may be different than yours. Shouting across the office is never acceptable. Avoid playing music at your desk during working hours. This should seem like an obvious point but I’m surprised at how many people do it. With all the music we can download from online services and our own CD’s and of course the radio, many still like to feel as if they are in the comfort of their own home. If you have to listen to music, use a headset! Remember just because you enjoy what you are listening to doesn’t mean the people around you do. So, loud or not-use your ear phones.


 Depending on your job role you might be given a cell phone, remember to keep the ringer on low or use the vibrate function. A common complaint in the offices I have worked in is that so-and-so’s phone rings so loud and is distracting. It is always best to use the vibrate setting.


7. Barefoot & Working-Again, you need to remember you are not in your own home. Taking off your shoes and roaming the office in your socks, or worse- barefoot is unacceptable office behavior. Not only does it look unprofessional but it can often scare your cube-mates off with a potentially offensive scent. And if you’ve ever thought about it-keep your pink fuzzy slippers at home where they belong!


8. Sights, Sounds and Scents- No belching, passing wind, nose picking, nail clipping or teeth flossing at your desk please or anywhere in your office for that matter. Believe it or not, people actually do this! I once went over to a colleagues’ desk and was completely disgusted to find him flossing his teeth! Sadly the washroom was about 6 feet away and he didn’t see what the problem was. I also encountered a colleague who sat next to me and was caught picking his nose while his friend on the other side caught him and watched for 5 minutes until she burst out laughing. This may sound funny but it is not office etiquette. Nobody wants to be exposed to this outside of the office so why should they be subject to it in the workplace. The bathroom is the best place to go to take care of all personal care issues. 

While we're on the subject, it is best to leave air fresheners, perfumes and other scented items at home. With the growing number of individuals who suffer from allergies, a spritz of your perfume could send someone into a sneezing fit.

This is by no means a complete list of office etiquette tips, but I look forward to sharing more posts about workplace etiquette and classy fashion for the office also.

What is the craziest thing you've encountered in your office environment?



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