It’s an exciting time when you realize you’re ready to shift careers. You realize it’s time to move on to greener pastures after working your way up. Sending out resumes and attending interviews can be a stressful process but seeing the fruits of your labor bloom can make all the hard work and worry worthwhile. Should I Tell My Employer Where I Am Going At the Time of Resignation?
There are numerous processes involved in leaving a present job. However, one recurring question is whether you should inform your co-workers, particularly your supervisor, of your plans.
How Do You Tell Your Boss You’re Leaving?
Though the prospect of leaving your job may make you happy or sad, it’s critical to keep your emotions in check and depart on a courteous and professional note. You can choose whether to reveal your future actions, but there are certain important data to offer before you go.
The most important item to inform your manager about is your departure date. This helps your supervisor to plan ahead of time for the documentation that needs to be filed with Human Resources regarding your benefits and the process of finding a replacement for your employment.
Is it important to tell them where you’re going, even though it’s natural for them to inquire?
All they need to know is that you’re quitting.
Is it critical that you inform your boss about this? No.
All they need to know, in all honesty, is that you are leaving or plan to depart. But to be honest, it’s none of their business where you’re about to go or have already gone. So, it’s completely fine if you keep this information to yourself.
Is it, however, unethical to reveal your new employer? No, it isn’t always the case.
For instance, you may have a great working connection with your boss(es) and have received excellent treatment from your workplace. And they may have even been helpful in your job quest. As a result, you might feel at ease telling them where you’re heading.
While they will be disappointed that you are leaving, they were also quite sympathetic and supportive of my decision. Since then, we’ve kept tight ties and a positive friendship.
In other cases, though, it may be preferable to keep your plans hidden. You’re worried, for example, that your current boss would try to undermine you by refusing to provide you with a reference or bad-mouthing you elsewhere. So, you might not get along with your boss or work for a company that gossips about former employees.
If you have a non-compete agreement with your new employer and are concerned that they may try to prevent you from working there, you may wish to keep your new employer’s name hidden. If you’re one of the other employees who recently left, perhaps to work for the same new employer, you may not want to reveal your new address. If your present employer knows or guesses that you and/or others have gone to work for X employer, you may feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Something you should avoid at all costs. As you can see, you are not required to tell your present employer about your plans when you depart.
However, depending on your relationship with them, there may be no harm or harm done if you divulge that knowledge. However, disclosing this knowledge may place you in an awkward situation or cause you harm. So, it is completely your decision if you want to let your employer know.
Professionalism does not but courtesy does –
To be clear, civility requires you to inform your supervisor of your plans, but professionalism does not. There is no hard and fast rule here; it is highly subjective, based on your individual situation and your supervisor’s personality.
Yes, your employer is bound to be inquisitive, but keep in mind that your next step after resigning is primarily personal. The relationship you have with your boss because of his emotional profile is the most important influence here.
You shouldn’t be shy about informing your boss if you have an understanding and fascinating boss with whom you know your relationship extends beyond professional limits into friendship. Why?
Because you have faith in him to be happy for you (because you are resigning mostly for professional advancement) and not undermine your move behind the scenes.
In this circumstance, he would bestow his blessings on you and, via his clout, moisten the ground for you at your new job, smoothing the transition. When you inform him, beg him to keep it quiet as much as possible since you don’t want the story to end up in the tabloids.
You should not inform your boss if you are resigning to work for a direct competitor, regardless of how amicable your relationship with him is.
However, if you have a completely formal relationship with your boss, telling him where you’re heading after you leave is a no-no. This is because it may become provocative, forcing him to second-guess your decision or maybe fire you before your contract expires. If your boss inquires, you might make it short and vague by stating that you are not going to a competitor.
Relationship with your employer
If you have a good and supportive connection with your boss and coworkers, it usually won’t hurt to inform them where you’re going. Many companies will send you their best wishes and may even throw you a farewell party.
However, at some firms and with some managers, if you tell them where you’re going, there’s a potential they’ll try to undermine you at your new job before you even start. If that’s the case, tell them you’ve been instructed to keep the new employer’s identity a secret for the time being. (You may request “confidentiality,” but it effectively allows you to react without providing information that could be used against you). If you wish to soften the message, say you’ll call them once you’ve settled in and provide your contact information.
If you’ve been bullied or harassed in a toxic atmosphere, discussing your next opportunity might not be the best choice. If you have a vindictive boss, it may cause problems in your future employment if they contact your new boss for whatever reason.
Finally, if you’ve taken a job with a rival and/or are in a position where you have access to client data or other critical corporate information, the employer may require you to leave immediately after giving notice.
Do you have a contract with your employer?
Be aware that if you have an employment contract, you may be obliged to reveal it.
Similarly, you may be obligated to provide specific information if you have an enforceable non-compete agreement (amongst other items) Always remember that if you signed a confidentiality declaration or a Non-Disclosure Agreement, it is likely that it will remain in effect after your work is completed.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that you might need this company or supervisor as a reference in the future, or that you might want to return at some point, so proceed with caution.
If you don’t want to share, gently say something like “I’ll let you know once I formally start” or “I choose not to discuss for personal reasons at this time.”
Depends on the Situation
It depends on the circumstances. If you’re leaving a job on good terms with your supervisor and he or she has been helpful and trustworthy, telling your boss where you’re going is fine, and your coworkers will appreciate your accomplishment. If things are challenging and unpleasant, on the other side, it’s usually easier to tell a few trusted and liked coworkers where you’re heading while keeping the information to the higher-ups vague– something along the lines of “a new opportunity.” You can use this sentence even if you’re just leaving to get out and don’t have a plan for the next performance.
However, if you’re looking for a new job, be sure you have people who can serve as references lined up. These people you trust should know more about your plans so they can start planning what to say about you.
Remember, you are under no need to tell your employer why you are leaving; do what feels right to you, and make sure the people you want to stay in touch with have your contact information.
Trust your instincts
It’s best if you keep this to yourself. If your boss finds out later, that’s OK, but you want to give yourself the best chance possible, especially in the beginning, when you’ll have had time to get to know yourself without the influence of others.
Instead of focusing on your past performance, farewell lunch, and vacation compensation that may be due to you, your employer’s attention may suddenly be diverted by the knowledge of where you are going and why you are going.
Will you be paying a competitor a visit? If that’s the case, sharing that piece of knowledge with your boss isn’t going to make them pleased. Keep in mind that you may need a referral from them in the future. You also don’t want to be accused of divulging competitor trade secrets. Even if you were previously seen as the workplace hero, you may now be perceived as the traitorous Judas. Take precautions.
You’ll be fine if you trust your instincts.
