I tried to point someone to a useful website link to help them negotiate their way out of a long notice period (six months), having just accepted a new opportunity elsewhere. I was surprised to find very few constructive comments on the internet about this, so I decided to write my own post! This comes from over 15 years of experience in helping Execs through resignation but I should also acknowledge the input from the training of Steven Finkle from my very earliest days of head-hunting. Before entering in to the negotiation of resignation it is first worth reflecting on what you can expect when you resign – the best summary of this can be found in an old Wall Street Journal article (click here). This article is essential reading and I don’t want to rehearse all the issues it explores so please read this before continuing with this post.
Once you have resigned (and not even hinted that you are willing to consider a counter-offer), you will find there are three stages in the resignation process. Right at the start i.e. at resignation itself you must state the date you would like to leave – you must mark your line in the sand. Once you have resigned you will experience three stages of the resignation process. They are not dissimilar to Kubler_Ross’s stages of grief. Firstly, as the article states, your current employer will bombard you with flattery, praise and anything else they can to woo you back in to the fold, including coffees with the most senior people in your business, lunches, "quiet chats" and so forth.
Secondly, when this praise does not work, they will get angry and make it clear how disappointed in you they are. There will be a big letdown feeling. Things are likely to get ugly and work will be a deeply unpleasant place to be for a while! This passes, you just have to ride it out, when it does you will find yourself at the third stage, one of acceptance where the whole thing becomes a business transaction and you can negotiate your way out. But you must not start this negotiation until you are at stage three. I have seen it take, minutes, days and even weeks for stage three to arrive, the difference is dependent on the type of company and how stoic the candidate is. However long it takes you must wait until your current employer feels full acceptance of the situation and is no longer being overly emotional or difficult about things before you can negotiate.
So assuming you are at this third stage refer back to the date you first mentioned in your resignation. Point out that this is still a date you intend to leave on and provide a clear unequivocal reason as to how this is achievable. Make sure this explanation is water tight by supplying solutions. For every current live project show clearly how it will be taken forward and who overall can take responsibility for your current role. In effect make certain you have achieved a full and clean handover. Work yourself out of your job then keep pointing out to the decision maker on a regular basis (either HR or your old line manager) just how crazy it is to keep you beyond your preferred date. You might also want to point out the cost of them keeping you when you are emotionally engaged elsewhere.
Once you have resigned (and not even hinted that you are willing to consider a counter-offer), you will find there are three stages in the resignation process. Right at the start i.e. at resignation itself you must state the date you would like to leave – you must mark your line in the sand. Once you have resigned you will experience three stages of the resignation process. They are not dissimilar to Kubler_Ross’s stages of grief. Firstly, as the article states, your current employer will bombard you with flattery, praise and anything else they can to woo you back in to the fold, including coffees with the most senior people in your business, lunches, "quiet chats" and so forth.
Secondly, when this praise does not work, they will get angry and make it clear how disappointed in you they are. There will be a big letdown feeling. Things are likely to get ugly and work will be a deeply unpleasant place to be for a while! This passes, you just have to ride it out, when it does you will find yourself at the third stage, one of acceptance where the whole thing becomes a business transaction and you can negotiate your way out. But you must not start this negotiation until you are at stage three. I have seen it take, minutes, days and even weeks for stage three to arrive, the difference is dependent on the type of company and how stoic the candidate is. However long it takes you must wait until your current employer feels full acceptance of the situation and is no longer being overly emotional or difficult about things before you can negotiate.
So assuming you are at this third stage refer back to the date you first mentioned in your resignation. Point out that this is still a date you intend to leave on and provide a clear unequivocal reason as to how this is achievable. Make sure this explanation is water tight by supplying solutions. For every current live project show clearly how it will be taken forward and who overall can take responsibility for your current role. In effect make certain you have achieved a full and clean handover. Work yourself out of your job then keep pointing out to the decision maker on a regular basis (either HR or your old line manager) just how crazy it is to keep you beyond your preferred date. You might also want to point out the cost of them keeping you when you are emotionally engaged elsewhere.
The most important thing throughout this process is to be absolutely clear on your preferred date and keep pointing it out, to remain consistently calm and not rise to any bait, to not appear in any way open to a counter-offer and most importantly of all to keep in regular communication with your new employer. Do all this and I can assure you will be able to negotiate down your notice period. At the very least the whole process of resignation will be more tolerable.
Good luck
