10 Things to Do BEFORE You Resign (Resignation Checklist)

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Telling your boss you’re leaving is only the final step. Before that conversation, secure your finances, protect your privacy, and ensure you make a clean, professional transition. Use this 10-point checklist to leave gracefully.

The resignation conversation often consumes all your focus, but a smooth exit depends on preparation. Here are the ten crucial actions you must complete before you submit your notice:

Also read:PPF Account Interest Rules : Do you earn interest if you don’t deposit money in PPF after 15 years? Learn the rules.

1. 🔒 Assess the “Walk-Out” Risk

Discreetly confirm your company’s policy on resignations. Some employers, particularly when an employee moves to a competitor, enforce an immediate departure for security reasons. Find out if the company will still pay you for your two-week notice period (decent companies usually do). Knowing this risk—and the financial impact—will allow you to time your resignation perfectly.

2. 🗂️ Secure Your Work Artifacts

Do not rely on having access after you resign. Take home copies of important documents now.

• Performance Reviews: You may need quotes for future interviews.

• Work Samples: Helpful for building a portfolio or interview prep.

• Kudos Emails: Save emails from colleagues or managers recognizing your accomplishments, which helps you answer the “What would your former manager say?” question with precision.

• Policy Check: Ensure taking these copies does not violate any company policies.

Also read:PPF Account Interest Rules : Do you earn interest if you don’t deposit money in PPF after 15 years? Learn the rules.

3. 🤝 Export Key Contacts

Gather the personal contact information for any colleagues, vendors, or business partners you want to stay connected with. Not everyone uses LinkedIn, and you never know when a professional relationship might be useful in the future. Check company policy first.

4. 🗑️ Scrub Your Digital Footprint

Many companies archive your email account or simply transfer its contents to your manager or successor. If you have any personal or sensitive content—whether it’s messages complaining about your boss or personal chat threads—delete them completely (check the sent and trash folders, too). You do not want your private correspondence becoming searchable.

5. 💻 Clear Personal Files

Remove any personal files—like bank statements, tax documents, or divorce paperwork—from your work computer or cloud storage systems immediately. If your company asks you to leave on the spot (see Point 1), you risk losing access to these personal materials or having your colleagues discover them. (Reminder: Storing personal materials on work systems is generally a bad idea!)

Also read:PPF Account Interest Rules : Do you earn interest if you don’t deposit money in PPF after 15 years? Learn the rules.

6. 🏥 Review Your Benefits & Payouts

Before you leave, clarify two critical financial points:

• Health Insurance: Find out the exact date your coverage ends (it can be your last day or the end of the month) so you can arrange bridge coverage if needed.

• Accrued Vacation: Check your state’s laws and your company’s written policy. Many employees assume vacation time is always paid out, but this varies significantly by state (e.g., in New York, it must be paid out unless there is a written policy saying otherwise).

7. 🧾 Download Financial Documents

If your pay stubs or HSA/FSA records are stored in an electronic system that requires active employee credentials, download them now. You will need these documents in the future for taxes or proof of income.

8. 💰 Submit All Reimbursements

Process and submit every single outstanding expense report before you hand in your resignation. Expense processing often slows down dramatically once an employee is no longer current, and you do not want to be chasing down payments after your last day.

Also read:PPF Account Interest Rules : Do you earn interest if you don’t deposit money in PPF after 15 years? Learn the rules.

9. 🔄 Update All Personal Accounts

Identify any memberships, subscriptions, professional certifications (like Github or LinkedIn), or event registrations linked to your work email. Switch all of these to your personal email address so you don’t lose access or miss renewal notifications once your work account is deactivated.

Also read:PPF Account Interest Rules : Do you earn interest if you don’t deposit money in PPF after 15 years? Learn the rules.

10. 📝 Script Your Resignation

With all the logistical and financial safety checks complete, you are ready to resign. Plan your conversation meticulously:

• Decide exactly how much notice you will give.

• Figure out the clear, professional message you will convey to your boss.

• Prepare your definitive, unshakeable response to a potential counteroffer.

 

End . . .

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