The perfect resignation
How to quit your job

Giving notice or employment termination by agreement is a normal part of our working life. As everywhere, there are right and wrong ways to approach the situation. If you decide to leave your current employer, there are certain rules you should follow to make your transition to a new workplace successful and smooth. How to resign in the Czech Republic?
 

 

Consider the pros and cons

There are a few important points you should think about before you make the final decision to leave your job:
 
  • What are the pros and cons of my current job? What do I expect to be different in my new job?
  • Have you really exhausted all development opportunities within your current company?
  • Would you leave even if you were offered more money or a promotion? How do you feel about that? Listen to your inner self.
  • What makes you want to look for another job. What made you disappointed? Can these circumstances change?
Handling your termination poorly can have a negative impact on your immediate future. After all, good references are really important for your subsequent work experience. Therefore when you decide to leave for better job offer, it is crucial to leave on good terms.
 

Termination of employment - employee resignation

First, read the existing contract carefully. Try to find out what your rights and obligations are and whether there are any exceptions that apply to the notice period. The usual notice period in the Czech Republic is two months, unless you are on probation, in which case you can give one hour's notice.
 
Remember when giving notice, the date of giving is important. Usually, a two-month notice period applies. It is therefore better to give notice at the end of the month, after which the notice period is really only two months. However, if you give your notice on 1 September, for example, your notice does not start until October and you can leave at the end of November.
 

The best resignation letter

After you decide to resign from your job, the most important thing to do is to inform your superior. A formal way to communicate your intention is a letter announcing your resignation. Such a letter is a legally valid document with a stated date from which the notice period starts to run.
 
Resignation letter must include details of the employer for whom it is intended, the notice of termination, the date on which the resignation is legally effective and your signature. Your resignation must always be in writing, be sure to print a copy for yourself and have it signed. For example, use this resignation letter template.
 
If your resignation is the result of poor working conditions or, even worse, personal disputes with your superior or some other employee, do not go into details. In this case, simply state your intention to resign impartially. As an employee, you are not obliged to state the reason for your termination.
 
Keep in mind that the sole purpose of the document is to inform your employer of the date on which you wish to terminate your employment. The letter should be brief and to the point. Do not put your negative emotions on paper. Stick to the positive note and don't try to burn bridges.
 

Are you hesitant to give your notice?

When resigning, most people experience a mixture of feelings such as guilt, especially if you have good team relationships. Many people are often afraid to quit as they don´t know what comes next. Try to anticipate what may follow. How will my notice period work? Will they still treat me the same? What if they try to persuade me to stay in my job? You may also feel regret that you have left colleagues or friends in the company.
 
The reality is that most people, including your boss, find themselves in your situation at some point in their lives. Regardless of the fact that you may have been a valuable member of the team, the company will not collapse after you leave. Remember, you're not the first person to quit, and you won't be the last.
 

How and when do I tell my superior that I quit? 

When is the good time to give my resignation, or, how should I tell the boss I'm quitting? First of all, it is important to find the right moment to communicate this information to your supervisor. For example, quitting before an important monthly presentation or crucial meeting isn't a good idea. But it is always better to quit your job on the spot.
 
Also, consider how you're going to hand the job over to your team and slowly start thinking about how you're going to finish your duties. It's a good idea to have this solved approximately, you will fine-tune the details together with your superior.
 
Try not to spread the information around the office, your supervisor will welcome the chance to decide for himself who else to tell and when the information becomes official.
 

What to do if your supervisor refuses to sign your resignation?

Who should you give your resignation letter to? Can I resign via email? Cases where a superior refuses to sign a resignation are very rare.
 
If the situation escalates, you can send your notice of termination by registered mail or hand it over to the mailroom. In case of problems, you can ask a witness, colleague or family member to give your resignation.
 

Termination of employment by agreement?

This method of termination is possible if both parties (employee and employer) agree to terminate the employment relationship. In this case, it is possible to agree on a shorter notice period then usual two months, you can even agree on terminating the employment relationship that day. However, don't let your employer push you into an unwanted situation, termination by agreement requires the contractual signatures of both parties.
 

What to do after termination

If you don't have another job lined up after your notice period, you have two options. You can consider a temporary position while you look for a permanent job, or you can register with the employment office.
 
This will help you to cover your social and health insurance for the time being unemployed and at the same time calculate from your average net earnings the proportion that you will receive each month. If you draw up an agreement with your employer, the resulting amount will be only 45% of the average net earnings. If you're about to make a career change, there's no need to worry about giving notice, we all go through this process more than once in our lives.
 
We wish you the best of luck in your next career choice. In case you are still looking around for a suitable job position, don't hesitate to contact a Hays consultant who will help you with your search.

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