How To Write a Resignation Letter Due to Working Conditions

In some cases, an employee's work conditions may convince them to resign from their job. When this happens, it's often helpful for these professionals to draft a letter of resignation that describes their intentions and their reasons for leaving. If you are considering leaving your current job because of your working conditions, it may be helpful to learn more about a letter of resignation. In this article, we describe what a resignation letter due to working conditions is, explore what it can include and provide templates and examples to help you write your own.

Related: How To Write a Resignation Letter (With Samples and Tips)

What is a letter of resignation due to working conditions?

A letter of resignation due to working conditions is an email or physical document that states an employee's desire to leave their current job because of unsuitable conditions. These conditions could include a hostile work environment, conflict with coworkers or supervisors or excessive work expectations. A letter of resignation is often a good way to inform your supervisors of your departure while remaining professional. It can also improve your chances of receiving a recommendation in the future.

Related: Great Resignation Letter Examples

What to include in a resignation letter due to working conditions

In situations where you are experiencing an unsuitable work environment, it can sometimes be challenging to remain professional. However, it's often beneficial to avoid negativity when writing a letter of resignation. This can help you maintain a good professional reputation and may be useful if you want to ask for a recommendation in the future. These are some of the elements that you can include in a resignation letter due to working conditions:

• A header: To make your letter of resignation more professional, consider inserting a header that addresses your supervisor formally. At the top of the page, you can list your supervisor's name, their position, their employer and the employer's location.

• A statement of intent: It's often best to open a letter of resignation by clearly stating your intent to leave the company. This step is important and can help you avoid confusion when dealing with supervisors.

• A specific date for departure: After stating your intent to leave, it's often important to provide a date when you will be leaving the company. It's often best to allow between a month and two weeks, although you may also inform supervisors that you are leaving immediately.

• Reasons for leaving: It's often helpful to briefly describe some of your reasons for leaving while remaining positive. You can consider focusing on your personal well-being, your strengths or pursuing other opportunities.

• An expression of gratitude: Although it may be challenging, it's often beneficial to express your gratitude for the opportunity to work at your company. This can help you level on good terms and may be beneficial if future employers contact your supervisors for references.

• An offer to help with the transition: When an employee leaves, it can sometimes pose scheduling, coverage and training challenges to other staff. To preserve your relationship with your employer, you can consider offering to help train your replacement or help with the transition in other ways.

Related: How To Hand in a Resignation Letter (With Tips and Example

Resignation letter template

This is a template for a resignation letter that you can use to help you write your own:

[Date]
[Your supervisor's name]
[Your supervisor's position]
[Your company]
[Your company's city and state]

Dear, [Your supervisor's name],

[A first sentence stating your intention to leave the company and describing your plans for departure, either immediately or on a future date.]

[One to three sentences describing your reasons for leaving the company] [One or two additional sentences describing your regret at leaving the company, and your gratitude for the opportunity to work there.] [One or two sentences offering to help with the transition or listing steps you are taking to make the transition less challenging.] [A final thank you to your supervisor and good wishes for the staff.]

Sincerely,
[Your name]

[Your name]
[Your position]
[Your company]
[Your company's city and state] (Optional)
[Your phone number] (Optional)
[Your email address] (Optional)

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

Related: How To Write a Simple Resignation Letter: Tips and Examples

Examples of resignation letters due to working conditions

These are three examples of letters of resignation that you can use to help you write your own:

Example:

January 15th 2017
Walter Danzig
General Manager
Danbury Kitchen, Inc.
Fairfield, Minnesota

Dear Mr. Danzig,

I regret to inform you that I will be leaving Danbury kitchen, effective January 29th, 2017.

I have decided to leave the company in order to find a position that better suits my work style and professional skills. I would like to thank you and the other management personnel at Danbury for providing me with the opportunity to work with you and learn from you. I have started working with Jade and training her in additional responsibilities so that she can take over my tasks when I leave. If there is anything else I can do to make the transition easier, please let me know and I will be happy to help. I wish you and the rest of the staff all the best and hope that my departure doesn't cause you any difficulties.

Sincerely,
Will Scarlet

Will Scarlet
Head trainer
Danbury Kitchen, Inc.
Fairfield Minnesota
555-555-5555

Example:

August 4th, 2019
Jennifer Cordoba
Director of Sales
SalidaCorp
Ferguson, New Mexico

Dear Ms. Cordoba,

Please accept this notice of my resignation from the position of sales representative at SalidaCorp. My last day with the company will be September 4th, 2019, in order to give our team time to transition.

While I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the SalidaCorp sales team, I have come to the conclusion that I do not share the same work style and long-term goals as other members of the team. I now think that it will be beneficial for me to find a position that better suits my methods and pace. I would like to thank you and the team for training me and for helping me through my first couple of months. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is anything that I can do to make the transition period less challenging for you all. Thank you again.

Regards,
Jacques Daniels

Jacques Daniels
Sales representative
SalidaCorp
Ferguson, New Mexico
555-555-5555
jkhachaturian@email.com

Example:

December 30th, 2021
Janet Yan
Director of Design
Shuttershock Films
Palo Bajo, California

Dear Ms. Yan,

I have taken the decision to resign from my position at Shuttershock Films, effective immediately.

Recent circumstances have convinced me that I do not share the same vision and work habits as the rest of the staff. Because of this, I believe it would be best for me to pursue work at a different studio. I would like to express my gratitude for allowing me to work with such a well-known design team, and I hope that my resignation does not negatively impact your work. If there are any final steps I can take to make this process easier, please contact me by phone or email and I will be happy to help. I wish you and your team success in your current and future projects.

Sincerely,
Joseph Cuervo

Joseph Cuervo
Lead Designer
Shuttershock Films
Palo Bajo, California
555-555-5555
JCuervo21@email.com

Tips for writing a letter of resignation due to working conditions

These are some tips that can help you write a better letter of resignation:

• Keep it short: Letters of resignation are formal documents and it's often best to keep your letter short and focused. This can help you remain cordial and professional and can make your intentions clear to your supervisor.

• Remain positive: Remaining positive can help you improve working relationships as you prepare to leave the company. It may be helpful to avoid speaking too much about the company or referencing specific disputes.

• Focus on yourself: When writing a letter of resignation, focusing on yourself and your plans can help you remain positive and avoid mentioning other employees. This can make it easier if you want to contact your employer after resigning.

• Proofread and edit: In order to ensure clarity and professionalism in your letter, consider proofreading it and making any necessary edits. You can consider using a spell-checker or grammar aid to help you locate and correct any errors in your document.

• Allow time for transition: In some cases, it may be necessary for you to leave a company immediately, but it's often best to allow two weeks to a month for transition. This can help preserve your work relationships and your professional reputation as you look for new employment.

• Think about your future employment: Ensure that your letter and your resignation prepare you for success when looking for future positions. Reread your letter before sending it to ensure that it won't cause any challenges when looking for your next job.

This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Consult with an attorney or lawyer for any legal issues you may be experiencing.