Resigning Immediately After Leave? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I posted a while back about taking leave to get medical treatment. I ended up arranging for three weeks of leave and it's been pretty great to be able to focus on getting better (and I wouldn't be able to work anyway given the nature of the treatment).

The thing is, I was unhappy at this firm already, and I was looking for exit options a long time ago. I've had one potential lead in the works since May, well before I knew I'd be taking leave. I just found out that the opportunity has come through. I don't have a formal offer yet, but it should be coming in around the same time I would be coming back from leave. I would definitely wait for conflicts to clear before doing anything, but I don't anticipate that being a problem.

How do I go about resigning from my current employment, considering the situation? Do I apologize and try to explain that I did not go on leave in order to job search, and that the timing is accidental? I suppose it doesn't matter if this employer hates me, but is there some way to handle this that doesn't end in animosity from them?

Is there a standard script for this? Do I go talk to my department head in person, call, email? Or do I talk to the office managing partner first, or even HR? How do I deal with the feelings of guilt and the overall unpleasant nature of these conversations? Any advice would be much appreciated.

[LittleRedCorvette]

I posted a while back about taking leave to get medical treatment. I ended up arranging for three weeks of leave and it's been pretty great to be able to focus on getting better (and I wouldn't be able to work anyway given the nature of the treatment).

The thing is, I was unhappy at this firm already, and I was looking for exit options a long time ago. I've had one potential lead in the works since May, well before I knew I'd be taking leave. I just found out that the opportunity has come through. I don't have a formal offer yet, but it should be coming in around the same time I would be coming back from leave. I would definitely wait for conflicts to clear before doing anything, but I don't anticipate that being a problem.

How do I go about resigning from my current employment, considering the situation? Do I apologize and try to explain that I did not go on leave in order to job search, and that the timing is accidental? I suppose it doesn't matter if this employer hates me, but is there some way to handle this that doesn't end in animosity from them?

Is there a standard script for this? Do I go talk to my department head in person, call, email? Or do I talk to the office managing partner first, or even HR? How do I deal with the feelings of guilt and the overall unpleasant nature of these conversations? Any advice would be much appreciated.

I don't know about your firm, but people are leaving in droves at my place. While this feels and is personal for you, it isn't for the firm -- I'd tell (call or in person) the managing partner, and then other partners and associates you worked with and want to tell (via email or phone or in person, whatever you like), then HR (via email). You don't have to go into detail, just say you found an opportunity you are going to pursue, thanks for the opportunity, learned a ton, etc.

Definitely don't do any of this until you have the job offer in hand and have cleared conflicts.

There should be no guilt, this is your career! Also tons of people leave, it is part of the structure of biglaw.

[Grazzhoppa]

My view is you’re overthinking this. If I recall correctly you are a first or second year, right?

First, wait until conflicts clear and you have a start date / sign off from the new employer to give notice. Then call your supervising partner and give notice of your resignation, offering to stay on for two weeks. That partner will tell you next steps, and will likely tell you to email your resignation to the department head. HR will be in contact to schedule exit interviews, etc.

That’s it. No hard feelings. Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

At my firm, several people have left (including in my practice group and class year - whelp) and openly stated that they likely won't return once their 3-months paid leave is up. One of them phrased it as taking time off to get a clear head and deciding whether to quit instead of just rage quitting out of shear tiredness. An insurance company is paying their salary while on leave so my firm doesn't really care about the leave part, they just care about the losing people part because we're bleeding dry ...

[Anonymous User]

OP here again. The offer has come in and I'm waiting on conflicts now. I guess I'm just wondering what I actually SAY when I resign as I've never left a job without a reason like "I'm going to law school" or "the clerkship period is over." I'm the kind of person that needs a script for something like this.

"I'm calling to give you my resignation. Thank you so much for this opportunity, but it's become necessary for me to go in a different direction with my career. If you'd like me to stay for a two weeks notice period, my last day would be X."

Does that sound stupid? Note that I have barely interacted with the office's managing partner and I get a sneaking sense he'll be unpleasant about this. I haven't been at the firm very long at all and I DID just come back from several weeks of leave. I know I can't just quit showing up, but I'd sure like to.

[Dcc617]

Yeah but you should assume two weeks. Like say you're giving your two weeks notice effective that day.

[TigerIsBack]

Yeah I would just be straightforward and say hey I'm calling to let you know that my last day will be [2 weeks from Friday] and thank you for the opportunity and I'm happy to help in any way I can to transition any matters. They'll ask where you're going, say sorry to hear it, and then most likely they'll be polite and wish you luck. This happens all the time so no need to be nervous about it, people are generally well-wishing toward your next step.

[CanadianWolf]

Agree with all of the above posters.

To repeat from posts above: Just give two weeks notice to a partner in your group & to HR.

Be polite & cooperative.

Relax as, most likely, some in your current firm already suspect that you are leaving.

[Anonymous User]

Agree with all of the above posters.

To repeat from posts above: Just give two weeks notice to a partner in your group & to HR.

Be polite & cooperative.

Relax as, most likely, some in your current firm already suspect that you are leaving.

So to add onto the bad timing, the department head is away for several weeks and I don't know how much the other main partner I work with has to do with accepting resignations.
Do I just go to the office managing partner (who is generally terrifying)? Is there any way humanly possible to get away with resigning via email and NOT have a horrible follow-up conversation?

[CanadianWolf]

One way to resign that should minimize the likelihood of an uncomfortable encounter would be to email HR & a partner in your practice group simultaneously stating that you are giving two weeks notice of your resignation from the firm and that you have accepted an offer from another law firm. Thank the firm or the partner for the opportunity and offer to follow whatever procedures are necessary in order to facilitate a smooth departure.

The firm will react quickly.

If asked why you are leaving,consider giving a truthful but broad response such as: I have an opportunity to work in a different specialty area or I prefer a smaller law firm environment or I would like to practice as a generalist, etc. Do not blame anyone or any aspect of your current firm.

Of course, these are just suggestions. Others may have better ideas.

Don't feel guilty as you are entitled to work in an environment which does not cause you undue stress /health issues.

Be polite & don't offer any more information beyond your comfort level. It is fine to share that you have cleared a conflicts check conducted by the other firm.

[nixy]

I do think it’s better to call than to email, and I don’t think the point is to find the person whose work involves accepting resignations (because that’s not really a thing), but just to tell people you work with. Call whatever partner is around that you work with most for the kind of “official” announcement, then talk to HR, and call or email other people who’d want to know.

It won’t actually be as awkward as you’re imagining. As everyone has said, partners are used to this. The law firm employment model depends on associates leaving firms, everyone understands how it works. I understand why you’re doing it and it’s a very normal reaction, but you’re taking it too personally and making a bigger deal out of it than it actually is.

[CanadianWolf]

Resigning via an email to both a partner & to HR gives you more control over the type of exchange that will follow. Also, it protects you from being fired.

If you want a counter-offer,encouragement to stay,or an uncomfortable discussion,then call a partner. Since you are determined to leave and since you want to avoid an unpleasant exchange, resign in writing to HR & to a partner.

[Dcc617]

Yeah definitely email. This is all business, you’re not the first person to quit, everyone should understand it’s not personal.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah definitely email. This is all business, you’re not the first person to quit, everyone should understand it’s not personal.

It's not REALLY funny, but I've been nervous laughing when people keep telling me they're so happy I'm back from leave and I'm like... Boy, are you about to be disappointed. I feel very guilty about it somehow, though. I like some of the people I work with.