You'd be only human if, on the odd occasion, you'd spent time contemplating the elaborate ways you could quit your job. Even though your reasons for quitting may be genuine – starting a new business, say, or accepting a better offer – the fantasy of going out in a blaze of glory is not unusual. Many of us, however, just settle for the modest exit interview.
But not all of us. And that's what makes a new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology so interesting. The researchers, from Oregon State University and the University of Oklahoma, conducted a series of studies among hundreds of participants to identify the seven most common resignation styles.
![Don't let the door hit you on your way out.](/web/20161115100538im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/0/q/5/l/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gq0pyg.png/1467946716346.jpg)
1. The 'by-the-book' resignation
This is the most popular form of quitting a job, preferred by 31 per cent of respondents. Employees show their leader the courtesy of initiating a face-to-face conversation during which they're honest about the reasons why they're leaving. They also provide their employer with a reasonable notice period.
2. The 'perfunctory' resignation
Twenty-nine per cent of people opt for this technique, which is similar to the by-the-book resignation except this one's rather impersonal. The meeting is short. The reasons for quitting aren't given. Plans for the future aren't discussed. Notice periods are the minimum allowed and not a second more.
3. The 'bridge-burning' resignation
This is third on the list and is favoured by 10 per cent of respondents. You'd be familiar with the bridge-burning style if you know someone who, while on the way out, insulted the boss, harmed the organisation, or was unprofessional in some way. The individual also probably derived a lot of satisfaction by leaving loudly. In the study, one former worker put it this way: "Told my boss to — off."
4. The 'avoidant' resignation
For whatever reason, these employees – 9 per cent of the studied population – shy away from having the dreaded face-to-face conversation. So they announce their resignation via email, often after-hours, or via a letter placed discreetly on the boss's desk while the boss is momentarily away. Sometimes they speak to HR instead. Or to no one at all, disappearing silently, never to return.
5. The 'grateful goodbye' resignation
A similar proportion of people, again at 9 per cent, are a seemingly thankful lot, which means their exit strategy is to prioritise the welfare of their colleagues. They tie up loose ends, minimise disruption, resolve outstanding issues, and train their co-workers to take over.
6. The 'in-the-loop' resignation
This departure method is used by 8 per cent of people who are generally the most considerate because they let their manager know they're thinking of getting out well before they've actually made the decision. So when the announcement finally arrives, it's never a surprise and the boss is well prepared.
7. The 'impulsive quitting' resignation
Screw the notice period. And forget about having another job lined up. All that matters to these leavers, 4 per cent of those surveyed, is to get out as quickly as possible. Which is what they do, leaving unfinished work and unsuspecting employers in their wake.
As one participant explained: "I told [my boss] at that point that I was locking the doors to the building … and would be sending him the key in the mail. I have not spoken with him since that day."
So, as you can probably tell, three of the seven styles are negative while the others are broadly positive. What the researchers discovered, though, was that the negative styles are frequently a reaction to unfairness in the workplace or an act of revenge on abusive supervisors. In other words, a little bit of karma.
Which style describes you? What's the best resignation story you've heard? Leave a comment below
James Adonis is the author of Employee Enragement.
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