Walking away from a job is never easy. Even if you’re moving onto something better, it’s still awkward and difficult to cut ties. But there is a way to make sure you’re not burning bridges and exiting in the most graceful manner possible. To do it, follow this employee resignation checklist from the Houston recruiters near you at Murray Resources:

Tell your boss.

Once you’ve made the decision, it’s time to tell your boss. Before you do, reach out and ask them to set aside a private time to talk with you. This isn’t something you should bring up after a meeting or at the water cooler.

Also, make sure you’re ready for their reaction and the questions that will come. In addition, before you end the conversation, ask if you can use them as a reference down the line. You also want to thank them for their guidance and support and leave on a positive note.

Submit a formal letter.

You’ll often need to submit a formal letter to HR that you are resigning. You don’t need to go into any details in terms of the reason for leaving. Instead, simply state that you are resigning and the effective date. Keep it simple, focused and positive.

Tell your co-workers.

If you’re close with your co-workers, this can be tough to do. But you need to ensure they have plenty of time to prepare before your last day. Also, offer to help in any way. Even if you’re glad to be off the team, you want to leave behind a good final impression.

Ask about your last paycheck and benefits.

Once your final day is firmed up, talk to HR or your boss about when to expect your final paycheck, as well as the termination of company benefits. If you have unused sick time or vacation days, you might be able to have them paid out in a lump sum, depending on company policy. Whatever the case, it’s best to be open and ask questions, so there aren’t any surprises or gaps in coverage.

If there will be a gap, especially when it comes to health insurance, make sure you understand your rights under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This allows you to stay on the company’s health insurance plan, while you pay the premium until your new insurance kicks in.

Transfer retirement funds.

If you’re not retiring or aren’t old enough to take out funds, then you’ll need to transfer them. If you have a new job, this is usually as easy as talking to the HR personnel there and asking them for help transferring the balance into their plan.

However, if you have a profit-sharing or other types of accounts, you might need to take a lump sum from the company. It’s up to you to ask about these plans and how to manage them once you leave.

Ready to resign from your job, but need help finding a new one? Murray Resources has recruiters near you in and around the Houston, TX area. We can learn about your skills, background and goals, then connect you with a rewarding new opportunity. Contact us today to get started or search our jobs now.