Don't Burn Bridges: How To Leave Your Job

I am often consulted by people who want legal advice about ending their employment. Some have been terminated and need advice about a severance package they have been offered. Some want to leave one employer for another but are not sure how to structure the change. Some are miserable at work and want to know if they should stay, sue or just leave. All of these scenarios involve different considerations.

One topic that frequently comes up is “the exit”.

Are employees required to give notice? Most people believe that employees are required to give two weeks’ notice. This has become the expected minimum. In fact, there is nothing in the Employment Standards Act that requires employees to give notice. You might have a written contract that requires a certain notice period. The higher and more unique your position is the more notice your company will want. Employers want some notice in order to fill your position or make arrangements to ensure that the company runs smoothly. Hiring a replacement can involve advertising, interviewing and negotiating a contract with a new person. If you are not legally obliged to give notice, why should you? I always advise clients to give notice – two weeks at least and more if they know their job will be difficult to fill. Even if you are unhappy with your employer it is never a good idea to burn a bridge. Your new employer will be impressed that you treat your employers with consideration. Think of your coworkers at your old job who would be picking up the extra work until your replacement is hired.

Should you attend the exit interview? Exit interviews are for the employer’s benefit, not yours. That said, if the process is done with a genuine intent to learn how the company can improve then you should take advantage of the opportunity. This is not the place to vent. Ask to see the questions in advance. Ask who will be attending the interview. Give constructive feedback. Think of your coworkers who still work for this company and what might help them.

Do you have to give a reason for leaving? No, you can be vague – time to move on, time for a change, an offer I couldn’t refuse, new challenges etc. Even if you didn’t like your last job you can say ‘it was an interesting experience’ or ‘I learned a lot’.

What if you want to vent or make a statement about a job you hated or an employer who didn’t treat you well? Vent with your family and friends. Consider that what is satisfying in the short term can harm your career in the long term. Every town is a small town. Every business or profession is its own small community. That boss you didn’t like at your old company can get hired by your new company or end up coaching one of your children’s sports teams. I once advised a client to tear up the letter he had written to his old boss telling him how much he hated working for him. This client felt very strongly that his old boss deserved to hear these things but agreed not to send the letter. A few months later my client called to say that his old boss had just referred a customer to him saying ‘we don’t do this type of work anymore but I know that you do’.

In general my advice is to never burn a bridge if you don’t have to. If you believe that you have been wrongfully dismissed or have a Human Rights complaint you should see us for legal advice.