What To Do When You Resign and Your Boss Wants You To Stay

When you resign from your position, your manager may realize the important role you play in the team and ask you to stay. They may offer you additional pay, benefits or a promotion to convince you to rescind your resignation. If you're considering leaving your current position or your manager has already asked you to stay, learning more about the approaches you can take to this situation can be beneficial.

In this article, we list nine different actions you can take when you resign and your manager or leader asks you to stay.

9 things to do when your boss asks you to stay

If you submit your resignation, your boss may ask you to stay with the company. These are some actions to take when your manager asks you to remain employed by the organization:

1. Be respectful and open when listening

When you resign, your supervisor may offer reasons for you to stay in your current position or with the company. Though you may already plan to move to a new organization, it's important to listen to your manager and be respectful.

This can help you strengthen your relationship with them and may improve the chances of maintaining a professional contact when you leave your current company. You can make eye contact, smile respectfully and sit up straight to show you're listening.

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

2. Provide a basic explanation for your decision

Though it's best not to over-explain your decision to make a career change, it can be helpful to provide a simple explanation for the choice. This can help provide context for your supervisor while protecting your privacy. For example, relocation or a change in career focus may both be basic explanations for your resignation.

Be sure to avoid negativity regarding your current company and instead focus on the potential for the future. For example, rather than saying "I felt like I couldn't grow here," say "I've decided to pursue a role in which I feel I can flourish," instead.

Related: 9 Tips for How To Resign the Right Way

3. Offer to assist with the transition

Offering to assist with the transition for your position can be a great way to show your professionalism and maintain strong relationships with your colleagues. It can also help you redirect the conversation and express your interest in focusing on the future.

You can also make additional professional contacts if you have the opportunity to meet and connect with your replacement. For example, you may offer to train your replacement or create materials to help them ease into their new role.

Related: How To Quit a Job the Right Way

4. Maintain your professional boundaries

Before meeting with your manager regarding your resignation, take a moment to consider your professional boundaries. It's important to know what you're willing to discuss and what you want to keep private.

During the meeting, pay attention to the discussion and express your boundaries for what you're willing to share. For example, your supervisor may ask what they can offer you that can encourage you to stay, and you can take the opportunity to focus on the future and avoid sharing additional information. Some phrases you can use include:

"I'm excited to help prepare the new accounting manager!"

"Thank you for each opportunity. I'm thankful for the growth I experienced here."

"I'm not interested in discussing that, but I'm comfortable discussing the next steps for my departure."

5. Follow-up after the meeting to thank them

It's important to thank your supervisor for their time and support, but a meeting regarding your resignation may not be the best setting. Sending a follow-up after your meeting with your supervisor can provide you with a more comfortable setting for thanking them. This can be best when you choose a method they may not feel obligated to respond to. For example, consider sending them a written note or gift to thank them for their understanding and support.

6. Listen to your intuition about staying

When asking you to stay, your supervisor may offer additional benefits, a promotion or better compensation to encourage you to stay. It's important to listen to your intuition about staying, as it can guide you to make the best decision.

There's probably a good reason you made the decision to resign, and remembering that reason can help you determine if it's a good idea to remain with the company. It's often not advisable to stay after putting in a resignation, as it can make managers unsure of your commitment to the company and slow your professional growth.

Related: How To Resign From Your Job in 10 Steps

7. Take time to think about new offers

If your supervisor insists on offering you additional perks to encourage you to stay in your position, avoid agreeing to new terms immediately. Even if you don't intend to accept your supervisor's offer, ask for time to think it over.

This can help you avoid agreeing to new terms when you prefer to move to a new position or role with a different organization. Consider taking a day or two to think about the offer before responding to ensure you understand what you want.

8. Avoid disclosing your new salary

Your manager may ask about the salary for your new role. This may be information you don't feel comfortable sharing, and it's often best to avoid disclosing it. Your manager or supervisor may use your salary information to offer you enough compensation to beat your new role but less than they'd be willing to pay you overall.

Related: How To Resign Gracefully (With Tips)

9. Be respectful and firm with your decision

If you know you want to move to a new position, it's important to be firm with your position. Your manager may ask you to stay to benefit the organization, but you moving to a new role or leaving can improve your personal and professional lives. Ask your supervisor to respect your boundaries while maintaining a respectful and kind tone.