Workplace lawyers are asked dozens of questions every day regarding regulations on leaving a current job. This is more and more common as new job opportunities are arising in many industries and employees are switching jobs at a record pace. The labor shortage has created a unique opportunity for people to switch to jobs that offer better benefits and much higher pay.
In fact, some workers are getting 70–90% pay increases by taking on a new role at a different company. To combat this, employers are giving out more incentives for workers to stay. If you have decided to leave your current position, there are some things workplace lawyers recommend you do as part of your exit from the company. This will protect you from a legal standpoint and ensure that you did everything the company requested of you. Here’s what workplace lawyers suggest:
- Keep copies of everything you’ve signed: This may be more difficult if you’ve been with a company for a number of years, but you should always keep photocopies or digital copies of anything you’ve signed, especially when first starting a job. While there are federal and state laws that minimize what a company can control in an employee leaving, it’s good to know what exactly you’ve agreed to or are agreeing to before making any new commitments.
- Speak with workplace lawyers about your agreements: Anything you have saved should go directly to your attorney so that they can review the documents and let you know what agreements you have made with your employer. This will give you an idea of what you can and cannot do as you plan on leaving the job.
- Notify your employer: Once you know what your legal options are, the next step is to notify your employer. This situation will depend more on where you work. For example, a large corporation will have their own official resignation steps you must follow while a small business might be completely different and less strict.
- Keep copies of emails to managers, clients, and anyone else relevant: Now that you have an exit strategy, make sure that you keep copies of any emails you have going out. This way, you can offer some insight as to what your conduct was as you were leaving. Were you professional? Did you give out only approved information? And so forth.
- Follow all company rules on exiting the job: The company will have their own protocol for how you will leave including what information and assets you need to return, how to communicate going forward, etc. You do not want to break any rules as it could jeopardize any agreement package you may have in place with your employer.
Working with workplace lawyers as you exit your current job is always a good idea. Even if you do not plan on filing a wrongful termination or discrimination case, you want to make sure that you leave on the best of terms. If your former employer has positive things to say about you, it makes your resume stronger. Companies understand that you have the right to pursue a new job, especially if it offers a better pay rate and benefits. You want to be able to show you have years of experience, but you also want to show you maintain good relationships with your former employers. Working with an attorney is a great way to ensure that.