GO OUT ON A HIGH NOTE

You might think it’s obvious that certain sentiments should never be included in a letter of resignation. But you might also be surprised at what some people think is acceptable to include in this final communication between employee and employer. Be sure you craft a well-written letter by first taking the time to gather your thoughts. Maintain a professional and positive tone throughout, and proofread your letter carefully.

The following are 10 topics you should not include in your letter of resignation.

1. I’VE HATED EVERY MINUTE HERE

You may sincerely want to say this, and it might even be true, but that’s something you can keep to yourself and your close friends.
Whether you live in a bustling metropolis or a remote village, your professional world is not unlike a small town. You don’t want your future employers (who are likely to know your current employer) to wonder what you might say about them further down the line.

2. YOU’RE THE WORST BOSS I’VE EVER HAD

Again, it might be true, but a resignation letter should never become so personal. Life goes on, time goes by, and circumstances change. It’s not an impossible scenario to imagine that someday you might be working with this person again in some capacity—perhaps even as their boss. Why leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth?
It’s crucial to maintain polite, professional boundaries. If you need to get your feelings out, fictionalize them and write the next The Devil Wears Prada instead.

3. WHY WASN’T I TREATED MORE FAIRLY?

You’re not likely to get an answer to this type of question. In addition, if you claim you weren’t treated fairly and you’re now leaving, the company may assume you’ve hired a lawyer.

If people in your company engaged in discriminatory behavior, there’s a more responsible way to address complaints before the situation becomes so unbearable that you have to leave. This isn’t the time to raise this issue.

4. ONE DAY I WILL MAKE THIS RIGHT

Do not, under any circumstances, include threatening language in your letter. No one likes to be threatened, and threats can have serious legal ramifications for you down the road.
Remember, once something is in writing, it might as well be filed under “forever.” Moving on to greater success somewhere else will taste much sweeter than elaborate fantasies of reprisal or revenge.

5. IN MY NEXT JOB, I WILL HAVE VERY IMPORTANT DUTIES

Your employer doesn’t need to know this and probably doesn’t care, either. It’s a resignation letter, not a press release.

Of course, if your supervisor asks where you’re going, you are free to provide that information. But if you’re headed to a competitor, you might not want to be specific. All you need to say is that you are moving on, and give an appropriate amount of notice.

6. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANOTHER POSITION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Why on earth would an employer consider you for another job at the company as you walk out the door? If your “resignation” is meant as a bargaining chip in order to wangle a promotion or a raise, you’d better not do it. Most employers prefer loyalty and commitment to game-playing.

7. HERE’S THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ORGANIZATION

Like the other 101 suggestions you have for improving the company, pointing out areas for improvement at this stage is not only inappropriate, but irrelevant. Chances are you’ve tried to get these points across before, and—for whatever reason—you felt ignored. Maybe you do know better and have great ideas, but give your new company the benefit of your expertise. This is a resignation letter, not a lecture opportunity.

8. MARY SMITH SABOTAGED MY WORK

Even if Mary Smith did sabotage your work, naming names in a resignation letter will get you nowhere. Let it go. Everyone else in the office still has to work with Mary Smith, but you don’t. Telling on Mary at this point is unprofessional and ill timed, and this is not the appropriate forum. If she’s really the reason you’re leaving, it’s likely people will know.

9. I WILL MISS MY TEAM MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE

It’s OK to express your feelings, but you must temper those emotions when you put your thoughts on paper.

Talk to your team individually or as a group; take everyone out for a drink; stay in touch after you leave. But maudlin sentiments expressed in writing have no place in a resignation letter. These things have a way of getting around, and you may end up working with some of these folks again somewhere else.

10. YOU ARE GOING TO MISS ME

It’s tempting to want to remind people of your contributions. However, this is not the place to toot your own horn.

Remember, too, that even though you are preparing to depart a place, you may not be saying farewell to the people you have come to know—another reason to leave on a professional note. Behaving in any other way could jeopardize the relationships you’ve formed during your time there, as well as future opportunities you may not be aware of yet.