Lesson 9.8
Leaving a Job Professionally
Estimated time: 7 minutes
Professional conduct matters at the end of employment too.
People leave jobs for many reasons:
- better opportunities
- relocation
- school
- family needs
- dissatisfaction
- career change
- termination
- contract ending
Leaving does not erase workplace responsibilities.
Where Applicable, Professional Exit May Include
- appropriate notice
- communicating unfinished work
- completing handover
- returning keys
- returning equipment
- returning documents
- returning uniforms or access cards where required
- transferring authorized business information
- protecting confidential information
- explaining pending responsibilities honestly
Scenario
An employee resigns.
Before leaving, she deletes customer contact records because:
“I built those relationships, so they belong to me.”
If those records belong to the business, deleting or taking them may create serious problems.
Another Scenario
A worker is angry about leaving and posts private customer conversations online.
Employment ending does not automatically erase confidentiality responsibilities.
Leaving After Conflict
You may be unhappy with how you were treated.
You can still:
- raise legitimate complaints
- use appropriate channels
- protect your rights
- seek advice where necessary
without deliberately sabotaging customers, coworkers or business information.
Remember
How you leave is part of your professional reputation too.