What is Resignation Letter Drafting?
A resignation letter is a formal letter that an employee gives their employer to inform them that they are leaving their job. Since it’s an official record of resignation, it has to be written clearly and professionally.
If you need to write a resignation letter, read on to explore the key components to include in your document, how to draft it, and when to consult with a lawyer for assistance with the drafting process.
What are Key Terms in a Resignation Letter?
A resignation letter usually contains the following terms:
- Date. State the date on which you are submitting the letter.
- Company name and job title. State your current job role and the name of your employer.
- Formal salutation. Address your manager or supervisor by name.
- Statement of resignation. Clearly state that you are leaving the position and company.
- Last working date. Specify the last date of your final day at work.
- Gratitude. Express thanks for the opportunity.
- Transition assistance. Explain if you will be supporting the company during the transition of leaving, such as by handing over duties to or training a new employee.
What are Drafting Tips for a Resignation Letter?
When drafting a professional resignation letter, there are some things to include and omit. Here are some tips to bear in mind.
Check Your Employee Contract
Make sure you verify your required notice period in your employee contract before mentioning the last date on which you’ll work at the company. State the specific date in your resignation letter, instead of just writing a vague phrase such as “in three weeks.”
Keep it Short
Stick to the factual basics instead of providing too much information or anecdotes. This can create ambiguity or make the letter come across as less professional. By providing too much personal information, you risk distracting from the letter’s purpose or creating misinterpretations.
Avoid Complaints
It’s best to avoid writing anything negative, such as your grievances or complaints about the company or workplace. Similarly, avoid mentioning any other issues you encountered during your job role that could seem accusatory.
Mention Obligations
If relevant, you can mention any tasks you’ll complete before leaving the company. This provides clarity for your employer regarding what work will be completed before your last day and helps them to know if they should reassign certain tasks to other employees.
Provide a Reason
Although you want to avoid too many personal details in your resignation letter, you should mention a clear reason why you are leaving. Again, keep the tone professional. Some common reasons can include career advancement opportunities, personal reasons, further education, or relocation.
Should You Hire a Lawyer for Resignation Letter Drafting?
Although you don’t always need to hire a lawyer to help you draft your resignation letter, it’s advisable, especially if you’re involved in a dispute with your employer or you’re concerned about potential consequences.
A lawyer can help you in various ways when drafting a resignation letter, such as the following:
- Checking legal compliance. A lawyer will check that everything in your resignation letter is aligned with all relevant legal requirements.
- Determining the notice period. They’ll advise you on how much notice you should provide and when your resignation takes effect for clarity.
- Protecting your legal rights. They’ll ensure that your letter doesn’t waive important rights or create confusion for the other party that can result in legal disputes.
- Omitting personal details. A lawyer knows what information you should include in the resignation letter and what should be omitted so that you have a professional, clear, and concise letter.
- Assisting you if you’re dealing with disputes. If you’re resigning due to issues such as unfair treatment in the workplace, a lawyer will help you communicate the reason for your resignation in an appropriate way.
- Clarifying outstanding benefits and payments. They’ll help you to assess your outstanding salary, bonus, commission, or other benefits that might be payable when your employment is terminated.
- Drafting a clear, professional letter. A lawyer is skilled at drafting a resignation letter that’s respectful and appropriately worded to express your requirements without damaging your professional relationships.
- Reviewing the resignation letter. A lawyer will conduct a thorough review of your resignation letter if you’ve already drafted it.
Where to Find a Lawyer for Resignation Letter Drafting
If you need to hire a lawyer to draft your resignation letter, you might wonder where to find one. Instead of calling traditional law firms in your area, you should use an online legal marketplace that gives you access to reputable and experienced lawyers.
ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal marketplaces that connects you to a curated network of lawyers who have been vetted on the platform.
Here are the steps to follow if you want to hire a lawyer to draft your resignation letter.
- Go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace.
- Select ‘One-time project’ and ‘Create or update contract.’ Alternatively, select ‘Review contract’ if you’d prefer to hire a lawyer to review your letter for you.
- Post your project for free. Include a few details of what you need so you can work with the most suitable lawyers for your project.
- Wait for bids. You’ll receive bids from lawyers directly on the platform who are ready to assist you, instead of having to find and hire a lawyer.
- Review the lawyer data. The platform provides information such as the lawyers’ location, field of expertise, years of experience, client ratings for previous projects completed on the platform, and credentials.
- Select a lawyer and hire them to draft or review your resignation letter for a flat fee.