How to terminate your employment properly!
Sooner or later you want to develop further in your professional life. Many companies offer a variety of options. In others, however, there is no such opportunity. In order to set off on new shores, it is often impossible to avoid it: termination.
If you have the prospect of a new job and have already had the essential talks with the company you will be working with in the future, you can of course enjoy the anticipation of the new tasks. The only obstacle in this situation is the termination of the current employment relationship. Basically, it is very simple: You write a written letter of termination, seek a conversation with your supervisor, clarify the formalities and complete the contractually agreed notice period.
But before you "close the door behind you" there are a few things to keep in mind.
Time of termination
Do not cancel your current employment contract until you also have a written confirmation from the new employer. If for the time being you only have a verbal acceptance, wait for the written one and then take action.
Form of termination
Be sure to submit the notice on time and in accordance with the contract. The best way to do this is to talk to your supervisor and inform them about the change. Justify why you are giving notice. However, avoid talking badly about your employer or using the day of termination as the "day of payroll". Instead, emphasize what you were grateful for and put the positive aspects in the foreground. Also explain which advantages and development opportunities the new position offers you. Also have the copy of the termination confirmed by the human resources department or your supervisor.
Testimonial
When you leave the company, you also have the right to a job reference. You should definitely ask for this document, because it can be decisive for later applications. Discuss here with the employer whether you should do preparatory work and briefly summarize your activities or not. In most cases, however, the employer is grateful if the employee makes preparations. This also gives you the opportunity to directly influence your certificate.
During the notice period
Be as cooperative and helpful as possible when handing it over to the successor. Document the work processes cleanly and bring the filing up to date. Find out whether there is a direct or no direct transfer. If there is no handover, list your tasks in detail and how they will be done.
The departure
Clarify with your manager when and in what form your departure should be communicated internally and externally. A coordinated approach is very important, especially if you hold a key position and your change will also attract attention in your industry. Be sure to adhere to the agreements and language regulations.
A change is particularly critical if you start with a competitor in the same role. In this case, your employer will usually release you from work immediately so that you do not experience any further internals that you can use in the new job.
Vacation
If you quit, you will probably still have a remaining vacation entitlement. There are basically two options: take the vacation or have it paid out. Legally, however, the granting of vacation always takes precedence over compensation. It is only possible to have this paid out if the vacation cannot be granted for operational reasons.
This regulation is also in your interest, because this way you can gain distance from your old job and prepare yourself for the new position. Use the time to relax, because it is usually exhausting quickly enough.
Always remember: With a clean finish, you are separating yourself from your old employer, instead of leaving “scorched earth”. This is desirable in any case, because it is quite possible that you will meet old colleagues during your career - and you should have remembered them as well as possible.
