Writing resignations is no easy task. They require a traditional, tried, and tested balance between gratitude and apology, frosted by some scattered compliments. But what happens when the reason for your resignation is the management itself? Writing down a list of pleasantries and your ‘oh, so wonderful!’ experience doesn’t sound that appetizing then. And yet, it must be done. Read more, when the reason for the resignation letter due to dissatisfaction with the management itself?
Verbalizing your discontent for the management is nothing to shy away from. But, writing it down on a letter addressed to the employers themselves can be a bit sticky. Seeing the imbalance of power that continues to exist within the modern workplace, it is best to try and end things on a good note.
The main purpose of a resignation letter is to officially notify and declare your intent to leave the company, preferably in advance, along with other important details like your reason to leave and your last day of work. A resignation letter that comes from a place of discontent towards the management, however, might be trickier to write given that not only do you want to make your reason for resigning clear but also leave on a good note.
This article tries to provide you with a better understanding of how to write a resignation letter where you can mention your dislike for the management without coming off too strongly about your dislike.
Before You Start
Before you start drafting your letter, there are a few things you should be clear about and keep in mind. These aren’t rules engraved in stone, per se, just light advice that may help you in the process of drafting.
● Mention all the important details. Many times, when letters are written hastily or under an invading stream of emotions, people can forgo mentioning the most basic of details like their last day of work. Even if the last day at work is the very next day, mention it.
● Be clear with your reason. ‘Dislike of management’ is a valid reason but it’s too broad and can be interpreted in several ways. Shorten it and try focusing on some bits and pieces. What is it about the management that you do not like? Is the issue big enough for you to hand in an entire resignation? However, do not deep dive into the details. It is, at the end of the day, a resignation letter that requires you to simply provide the reason behind your actions. Keep it brief. Too many details and criticisms would turn it into a complaint letter, which is not the end goal.
● Highlight the positives. Mention what you gained from your experience there. Include things that made your working experience somewhat better. If you believe that nothing of that sort exists then perhaps try ending your letter with something like, “thank you for all the opportunities you’ve presented to me” or “I appreciate your dedication and my experience at the workplace.”
● Don’t come off too strongly about your dislike. You might have to approach your seniors in the future for a letter of recommendation and references. Ending things on a positive note is always a better approach.
● In case you’re open to discussion or would simply like to talk about the issues which, you believe, persists at your workplace then write that down too. This might provide your management an opportunity to hear you out and perhaps they might even make changes to try and redeem it.
Sample Letter #1
Keeping the points discussed above in mind. Here are a few sample letters that you can refer to in case you’re stuck writing your draft. The first sample is a more basic, and watered-down version of what you can present and what your employers might expect to receive.
Dear Ms. Levinson,
It is with great reluctance that I submit this letter to you. I joined this company a decade back and I cannot fathom just how much of my work and my progress has been a result of the support that my peers and mentors have provided me.
Lately, however, there has been a rapid change in the management structure. The way work and projects are handled here is changing. My team has gone through such tremendous changes that I feel a lack of harmony within us.
These changes have impacted my productivity and the quality of my work, which is why I present to you, my resignation.
I, Brandon Robin, senior manager at corporation X, hand in my resignation, effective 26th of September, 2021.
Thank you for the opportunities you’ve presented to me.
Yours sincerely,
Brandon Robin
Sample Letter #2
The following sample letter has been written from the perspective of an employee who has to quit work but hopes to maintain good and amicable relations with the company.
Dear Ms. Cooper,
Please accept this letter as my official notice of resignation from the post of a senior executive at corporation Z, effective at the end of this month. My last day at work will be the 28th of October, 2021.
I cannot thank you enough for the environment and opportunities you’ve given me. My time here has been filled with projects and events that I loved working upon and which helped me grow as an artist and strengthen my roots in the industry. It wouldn’t be a lie if I say that my career has very much started at this very corporation and all that I am today, I owe it to you, my peers, and my mentors.
My decision to resign comes from my inability to adapt to the changing workspace. The new management, in the space of two months, has changed everything from how we approach deadlines to our creative freedom. I, being a traditional man, am unable to accept these changes. Nor do these changes accept my way of working and so I feel that there is a rift growing between me and my work. It is this incompatibility, which has prompted me to finally resign and start anew.
However, I hope that I can stay in touch with the company that has helped me and motivated me to strive for newer heights for a major chunk of my career.
Yours sincerely,
Kevin A. Woods
Sample Letter #3
Here’s a letter you can refer to in case you’re done with how things work at your office and want to resign on those grounds themselves.
Dear Mr. Davidson,
This letter is my formal notice of resignation as the sales executive of Y corporation, effective 5th of November, 2021. As per the resignation policy of the corporation, I will be providing a two-week notice before my last day of work.
I have been an employee here for eight months now and while I have learned a great deal, not just about the industry but also work ethics, there are still reasons why I believe I should hand in my resignation so early during my time here. My experience over the last few months has been marked by poor wages, infrequent working hours, and an excessive workload.
The experience has not been a wonderful one. It has been quite the opposite of what I’d hoped for my time here to be like. In the past month, I’ve felt more and more dissatisfied, which is why I believe it is time for me to resign.
However, I would like to thank you for being a wonderful supervisor. Within these eight months, you’ve let me work on several projects and boosted not just my confidence but also my approach towards the industry. For this, I’m very grateful.
Thank you for all the opportunities you’ve given me.
Yours sincerely,
Lina Bloom
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What do we mean by management dissatisfaction?
Management is a wide and broad term and it will do you good if you could go into more details and let your employers know just what is the problem. Is it the system, the team, the workplace? Dissatisfaction can arise from several things, make sure to define what dissatisfaction here means for you.
Q2. What is the perfect time to resign?
There is honestly no ‘perfect’ time. When you hand in your resignation, you might want to make sure that you try your best to comply with the conditions that your company might have towards resignations. For example, handing in a two-week or longer notice in advance.
Q3. What should I do if I want to resign from the company because I’m dissatisfied with the management but still wish to preserve contact?
Write a letter that has more positives than negatives. Let your corporate know that while management might’ve made your stay difficult, there were various reasons why you enjoyed working there. Mention those in your letter. If you wish, you can also directly write about wanting to preserve contacts and remain in touch with your supervisor and the company.
