It can be difficult, facing the realization that you need to resign from a position, especially if you come to that conclusion not because you want to move on but because of your health and stress. The emotional weight of the decision and the need to maintain connections to help yourself move forward make it a delicate process, too.If you accidentally say the wrong thing, you could burn bridges without intending it, making it harder to rely on references from that position in the future. You could also accidentally reveal too much personal information without intending to. Using these resignation letter due to health and stress templates to organize your writing is a key way to keep your letter on track, making sure it is effective and professional.
This example letter from Tillie Piper, who has recently come to the realization that her job at a law firm is placing too much stress on a pre-existing health condition, covers the missive’s major goals clearly. She now has to inform the managing partnership of her firm that she must change careers to protect her health.
Dear Mr. Anderson,
I enjoy the work we do at this firm, and I believe that insurance defense plays an important role in protecting the integrity of the industry for everyone. Unfortunately, my health has to come first, and that means I need to tender my resignation.
I do not make this choice lightly, but after consultation with my doctor and a second opinion that said the same thing, I find I have to do so. The long hours and demanding reading schedule simply put too much strain on my migraines at this time, and the acceleration of their intensity and duration has come to prevent me from doing my duties.
I, Tillie Piper, resign from my position as a third-year associate in the Anderson & Larsen firm, effective immediately.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your mentorship over the past two and a half years, and I regret the necessity of this decision. Unfortunately, when it comes to long-lasting health concerns with far-reaching implications, one faces no choice but to bow to the needs of the body. I hope to be able to find a work/life balance that allows me to practice law again, but first I need to focus on recovery.
Thank you for the time we have spent together.
Sincerely,
Tillie Piper
When you write this kind of resignation letter, the goal is to gracefully extricate yourself from the responsibilities that you have to your workplace without letting them down and without giving the impression that you are leaving voluntarily. It is important to cover enough details to explain your decision and the factors that have played into it, but it is also important to keep the emotional language to a minimum. Expressing gratitude and appreciation for your experiences with the employer is a great idea, but individual messages to co-workers or even your supervisor should be in separate communications.
As you start, emphasize the fact that you do want to keep working at your current place of employment but you can’t do so. Give a short but direct explanation for the health concerns that are causing you to have to depart, and make sure you make an unequivocal statement of resignation that your employers cannot miss.
Last but not least, you want to make sure you reflect on the positive and professionally thank your supervisor for taking the time to work with you and help develop your skills. Eventually you will need to venture out onto the job market again, and when you do, the support of a previous employer can be a great reference, even if you have to change careers. If you wind up recovering and you want to return to the same employer, the chances are much greater when your resignation was graceful, too. Use the resignation letter due to health and stress template to help shape your letter into this format.
There are a number of things to watch out for when you write one of these letters, such as personal statements or emotional outbursts. Some expressions are harder to pinpoint, and they can be challenging to weed out of your final draft. One example of this would be the disclosure of too much information about your health. It could potentially burden others with information that is none of their business, and misunderstandings about your needs could cloud the intent and meaning of the letter.
It can also seem accusatory to provide overly exhaustive detail about why your workplace is unable to meet your needs in your current state of health. That’s why you should provide a short statement coupled with a demonstration of gratitude, rather than attempting to write a complex explanation of your circumstances. That way, every sentence stays on topic and contributes to your message in a positive way.
Under most circumstances, you should not need to send a follow-up letter after a message like this one. The letter of resignation is itself a terminal notice, and it is appropriate to send it and then to begin making preparations to leave your workplace. Most of the time you will receive a communication back promptly.
If you do not, a simple inquiry or a second copy of the letter should suffice. If you need to manage any handoff duties, the follow-up should stress their importance to help prompt action on your original resignation notice. That way, you can emphasize the need to complete this in a timely manner without overstepping.
1. Remember that you should be grateful for your time in the position
It might seem odd to take this time to express your gratitude, but your employer invested in you, and you should take the chance to appreciate that as you go. It also helps to emphasize how you want to stay on good terms with the organization and that you are not resigning for reasons that have to do with the work environment.
2. Emphasize that this is not a voluntary exit
Sometimes, resignation letters wind up overly fluffy to spare an employer’s feelings. Realistically, you can offset any hurt feelings that might come from an abrupt resignation due to health by reminding your employer that you would stay if you had a choice.
3. Curtail any emotional language other than professional thanks
Remember, the letter of resignation is a professional document that will go into your employer’s records. If you have anything personal to say, say it in a separate message at a different time.
4. Provide a specific statement of your resignation
Sometimes, a resignation letter can look a lot like a letter requesting leave, especially when it mentions health concerns repeatedly. Make it clear you are resigning.
5. Provide a short but specific statement of the health reasons behind your exit
Remember, your treatment goals and other personal concerns belong in other communications, but managers needs a record of your reason for leaving, especially if future prospective employers might contact them.