[Tiresias]

I'm contractually bound to put it in writing, but there are options.

Should I articulate my grievances? One website suggests nothing says "kiss my ass" like a startlingly short letter containing one cold, legalistic sentence, e.g., "I hereby tender my formal resignation. Regards, etc." But, of course, there is also a temptation to articulate grievances; and even a chance that by doing so I will improve the lot of the poor sod who replaces me.

What do you think?

[MacosNerd]

I would make it professionally sounding, and just state that you tender your resignation with x weeks notice. I would then take that and talk to your boss verbally, and then hand him the paper.

You want to handle this in such a way as not to burn your bridges, you don't want to say anything that could come back to haunt you.

[nonhuman]

I'd say it depends on your manager and your HR department. Are they actually likely to take steps to address whatever grievances you state? Do you care?

[peeb]

There is no point in listing your grievances. You are leaving - there is nothing you gain by pissing your former colleagues off. If you were staying, that is the time to list your grievances. At this point, you don't know when you will run into these people again, or may need a reference. Be polite, don't piss people off that you don't need to.

[Tiresias]

You're right.

But man. Even quitting is no fun.

[-Q-]

Originally Posted by peeb 

There is no point in listing your grievances.

Unless, of course, you're turning in your resignation on Festivus. Then, the airing of grievances is an obligation, not just an option.

[Dork.]

I left my last job on good terms. In the letter, I formally resigned my position, thanked my boss (who I really did like) for the opportunities, and indicated that I would be willing to assist during the transition period. I did not indicate the transition period in the letter, but we negotiated that separately. (I gave more than two weeks, since my job has a lot of long-term projects that needed to be transitioned. I still provide informal consulting on one project in exchange for lunch....)

Are you working for a big company? Believe it or not, the best place to air grievances is with HR people. Where they are effective, they can be very effective. And where they are ineffective, complaining to management on your way out the door probably won't help, either.

The worst place to do it is in writing. If you air grievances in writing, expect the letter to stick around and cause problems long after it is relevant.

[besson3c]

You can bitch during your exit interview, if they will be offering one... Bitch diplomatically and reasonably, of course, as to not burn a bridge, but you can make your case in an assertive but non-confrontational way there.

[Tiresias]

I'm already drafting my letter. It's very sober and to the point. I'll save my grievances for the water cooler at my next job.

But now I have a question. In my letter, I have to refer to a part of my contract. If it says: "3.4 Bla bla bla", is that clause 3.4, article 3.4, or something else?

[peeb]

Don't worry about it - if you must quote it, section 3.4 ought to do.

[KeriVit]

If upon resigning you are asked what went wrong or what could they have done to make you stay, THEN you may diplomatically air some grievances. But don't be catty. I am 2 years removed from my last job and still do good paying freelance for them. They trust me and appreciate me.

[besson3c]

Do *not* poop in the company kitchen, if you have one.

[olePigeon]

Burn a bag of popcorn in the microwave on your way out.

[besson3c]

Yeah, you can claim that burning the popcorn was an unintentional accident, but it is pretty hard to accidentally poop in the kitchen, so just put this out of your mind, okay?

[brassplayersrock²]

just be yourself. you wont have to quit then.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

just be yourself. you wont have to quit then.

But DON'T be yourself if you regularly poop in your own kitchen.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Tiresias 

I'll save my grievances for the water cooler at my next job.

I wouldn't even do that.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Do *not* poop in the company kitchen, if you have one.

Back in college someone once pooped in our dorm's public kitchen. We had to have a dorm meeting about it. Pooping in kitchens is never funny.

[KeriVit]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

I wouldn't even do that.

agreed- makes you look like an ass.

[torsoboy]

Originally Posted by KeriVit 

If upon resigning you are asked what went wrong or what could they have done to make you stay, THEN you may diplomatically air some grievances. But don't be catty. I am 2 years removed from my last job and still do good paying freelance for them. They trust me and appreciate me.

I follow this same line of thinking... I quite my job about six months ago and they still have a desk and computer set up just for me so that I can do contract work for them once or twice a month.

Don't burn your bridges, you never know when it will come back to bite you.

[Dork.]

If you gripe too much about your last job at the water cooler, your new co-workers may start to wonder what you'll say about them at your next job....

[Chooglin']

Just leave without saying anything or putting anything in writing except for one sentence saying you are resigning.

[ghporter]

If you think that the place will be better if you tell them what caused you to leave, or maybe if you think they'd do anything about it, then by all means tell all. As others have said, be professional, objective, and concise.

If, on the other hand, you do not expect anything to change, whether they know about your reasons or not, give the customary two weeks' notice in writing and don't look back.

[scaught]

If they want any of your feedback, they will ask for it. Unsolicited (free) advice is worth it's price, and valued as such (probably not much at all). People at your job probably complain all the time and nothing ever changes. Just because you're leaving doesn't necessarily add any "weight" to your complaints.

[peeb]

An old boss of mine once made the comment that 'once you announce you are leaving, you no longer have an opinion'. People often make the mistake of thinking that once they are going, they should get everything off their chest - my take on this is that if you had something to say to change things, you should have done it while you intended to stay.

[Naplander]

agreed

[finboy]

Originally Posted by Tiresias 

I'm contractually bound to put it in writing, but there are options.

Should I articulate my grievances? One website suggests nothing says "kiss my ass" like a startlingly short letter containing one cold, legalistic sentence, e.g., "I hereby tender my formal resignation. Regards, etc." But, of course, there is also a temptation to articulate grievances; and even a chance that by doing so I will improve the lot of the poor sod who replaces me.

What do you think?

Don't give your advice for free -- if they cared about what you thought, you'd still be working there.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by peeb 

An old boss of mine once made the comment that 'once you announce you are leaving, you no longer have an opinion'. People often make the mistake of thinking that once they are going, they should get everything off their chest - my take on this is that if you had something to say to change things, you should have done it while you intended to stay.

I agree, that's a valid statement, when I left my last job, I left on good terms, but it was clear my advise I provided was received tepid to say the least.

[PB2K]

I wouldn't quit my job if I werent absolutely sure of another one, or financial independency.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by PB2K 

I wouldn't quit my job if I werent absolutely sure of another one, or financial independency.

I think you speak for the majority of adults.

[OwlBoy]

shaclocky!

[PB2K]

better than going for broke
you see, thats why you always need a backup plan. 1 income isnt enough if you think about quitting. If you want to threaten with quitting your job you better have something at hand

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Yeah, you can claim that burning the popcorn was an unintentional accident, but it is pretty hard to accidentally poop in the kitchen, so just put this out of your mind, okay?

AHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAH AH

[Dakar the Fourth]

Hehehe, "Looks like we've got a heckler"

[Kevin]

What? I thoroughly enjoyed that joke.