If you’ve decided that you’re ready to move on from your job, there are a variety of different ways that you could choose to quit.
You could have an in person conversation, make a phone call, or set up a zoom meeting. You could also choose to submit a two week notice or an immediate resignation.
Another option that is becoming increasingly common, for better or worse, is to quit a job over text.
To that end, this article is going to unpack how to quit a job over text. We’re also going to assess whether or not quitting your job over text is actually a good idea, and considerations that you need to look at when deciding whether or not to quit your job in that manner.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
Why Do People Quit Their Job Over Text?
There are a variety of reasons why someone might choose to quit a job, such as a toxic boss, bad working environment, lack of career growth, or opportunity for more money.
Now, the manner that someone chooses to quit is unique from the reason that someone chooses to quit. Which means that there are unique reasons why someone may choose to quit a job over text.
Here are some of the top reasons why people may quit a job over text:
1. Want to Avoid Conflict
Having a difficult conversation with someone face to face almost always feels more scary than doing it digitally.
And when you’re quitting over text, you don’t have to see the person. You don’t see their body language, their tone of voice, or feel any potential frustration at losing an employee.
Conflict avoidance is definitely one of the most common reasons people quit a job over text.
2. Can’t Stand To See Their Boss Again
If you’re quitting because you have a toxic boss, it’s perfectly understandable to want to minimize any future interaction with that person.
And sending a text to quit can be tempting because it can save an additional negative interaction with your toxic boss.
3. Want to Be Done With Their Job as Quickly As Possible
If you’re feeling like you want to quit your job everyday and have decided that you just want to be done with it, quitting via text can be a way to immediately plug the plug.
You send a text, say you’re done, and then don’t have to face your job any more.
4. Personal or Logistical Challenges Prevent Resigning in Person
In some cases, there might be personal or logistical challenges that prevent someone from resigning in person. For example, if you had a family emergency come up, a physical health problem, or some type of transportation issue, you may not be able to see your boss in person or speak with them. In that case, resigning via text message may be the quickest and easiest method.
Truthfully, I do find this particular reason for resigning via text to occur the least often. Generally, it tends to be more in the camp of people wanting to be done with their job or their boss as quickly as possible.
Can You Quit a Job Via Text Message?
If you’re an at will employee in the United States, you can quit your job at any time and for any reason. Your company can also terminate you for any time and for any reason, other than protected causes like race, gender, etc.
With that being the case, it should technically ok for you to quit your job via text message (assuming you didn’t sign anything in an employment agreement that prevents it).
Is It Okay to Resign Via Text Message?
While, in most cases, you technically can quit a job over text, in my opinion, I don’t think it’s a professional way to quit a job and should be avoided.
Ultimately, you may be thinking that you hate your job, you don’t care about quitting professionally, and that you’re so over it that you’re even considering leaving without something else lined up.
And those are understandable feelings and it’s frustrating to be in that situation.
However, it’s important to note that you have a reputation. And that you want to avoid burning bridges as much as you possibly can. Resigning via text message, which typically also comes with a lack of notice, has a strong potential of burning a bridge. And that could come back to bite you in future interviews if a company asked how you left your left job, or through informal reference checks that folks might conduct if future employers know your old boss.
So, I would recommend following the core best practices to resigning professionally and, even if that means that you’re stuck in a job that you hate for a little bit longer, it will be done soon and you will show respect to the company, your team, and your manager.
How Do You Formally Quit a Job Via Text Message?
Formally quitting a job via text message is the same as quitting a job via other means. You simply inform your manager that you’re quitting and let them know when your last day will be.
While it seems simple, resigning can basically be boiled down to being that simple…letting the appropriate person know that you are quitting and when they should expect you to be done.
How To Quit a Job Over Text Sample
As previously mentioned, I do not recommend quitting a job over text. It is much more professional to do so in person.
That said, if you are set on resigning via text message, here is a sample of how to quit over text:
Hi {Manager Name},
Please accept this message as my resignation from {company name}, effective as of {date of departure}. I apologize for sending notice via text, but due to {reason for departure}, I’ve made the decision that this is the best way for me to resign.
Please advise the best way for me to collect my final paycheck and remaining balance.
I am grateful for the opportunity and appreciate all of your support during my time here.
Thanks,
{First Name}
Conclusion
There are a variety of different ways that you could quit your job. And quitting a job via text is one route that you can go.
While quitting a job via text may be tempting because it’s fast and easy, I would recommend avoiding quitting via text if at all possible.
