How to Retract a Resignation Letter to Keep Your Job!
People often resign from jobs in the hope of better opportunities.
However, sometimes things change.
When change happens, you have to face the unnerving task of retracting that resignation letter.
For some employees, this can be an awkward moment. However, if handled skillfully with tact, it can be a simple process.
Firstly, it is important to understand the reasons for retracting a resignation letter anyways?
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Why Retract Your Resignation Letter?
There are multiple reasons an employee may choose to stay in their current position and retract their resignation.
Change of Heart
Sometimes an unpleasant incident may make us want to quit our jobs and find something better. Others buy into the ‘grass is greener on the other side’ concept. Whether it’s a change of heart or looking at things from a realistic perspective, a person may eventually decide against leaving their job.
Unsuccessful Job Search
Finding a job is tough already and sometimes individuals may resign prematurely before securing another job offer. If opportunities are scarce or not as good as the present situation, a person may decide to keep their job than risk unemployment.
Economic Slump
Opportunities can become limited due to economic downturns, particularly unforeseen ones. As such, with the job market facing a recession, an employee may retract their resignation to keep their income flowing, if the other job offer had fallen through or the company is downsizing.
Present Company Made a Counter-offer
For high-achieving employees, if they seek better offers from a competitor for example, their present company may make a counter-offer to entice them to stay. If the counter offer is more lucrative, they may decide to retract resignation.
How to Retract your Resignation Letter
Regardless of the reason, having the need to retract your resignation must be performed with the utmost care and professionalism. Some managers aren’t too keen to retain employees who expressed an initial desire to leave. Therefore, there has never been a better time for your professionalism to kick in.
Put it in Writing
Just as you would have made your resignation letter in writing, your retraction has to be written. This will be attached to your file. Make it official, instead of just casually mentioning it to your boss at the water cooler. Having it written makes things official in the working world.
How should I explain myself?
This letter should be properly crafted, addressed and proofread to ensure it works in your interest.
Address it Appropriately
At the top of your retraction letter, include the date as well as the person and department to whom the letter is addressed to.
Be Direct yet Diplomatic
Include the date on which your resignation letter was handed in for easy cross-reference. However, after careful consideration and reassessment of your circumstances, you are formally retracting your earlier resignation.
Within your letter, clearly indicate that you wish to continue in your current role. It is important to remember that between the time you sent in your resignation and the writing of your retraction, that interviews may have already begun. Therefore, recognise this in your letter. Apologise for any inconvenience caused, and reaffirm your commitment to your job and organisation.
End your letter formally – Yours respectfully, followed by your full name and current job title. Your letter should be delivered to your manager or Human Resources Department as soon as possible, to hopefully secure your position.
Does My Employer Have to Accept My Resignation Retraction?
While you may have done your best to come across as apologetic and professional in your retraction, there is no obligation on your employer’s part to accept it or reinstate you in your position. Keeping you on the team would largely depend on your past history and performance. Your chances of remaining at the company would be favourable if you’ve been a top performer with no past disciplinary issues.
However, if there have been substantial performance or issues of conduct, it will be particularly challenging to convince an employer to discard your initial resignation. Additionally, if another candidate has been successfully secured as your replacement at the time of your retraction, your employer may be in a difficult position.
In some instances, your employer, upon receiving your retraction may ask for some time to consider before providing a final answer. Respect this and thank them for their consideration. They may need that additional time to assess the situation and weigh the pros and cons.
At this time, it is critical that you perform your job responsibilities to your highest ability during this time. Treat this uncertainty as motivation to provide as much value as you can to your manager. If he or she is weighing the pros and cons of your employment, you need to ensure that your contributions to the team is unquestionable and productive.
Continuing high performance, despite the circumstances, can cause the decision to swing in your favour. If you employer does accept your retraction, keep up your momentum. Continue to add high value and perform you job with utmost diligence. This demonstrates you are the right choice and affirms your commitment to the team and company.
What if My Employer Does Not Accept My Retraction?
In some instances, however, a retraction may not be accepted for a variety of reasons. A company may have a replacement already, your retraction letter was sent in too late, the company may be downsizing or your past performance was insufficient to persuade your manager otherwise.
In the event a replacement has already been confirmed, or your employer does not accept your retraction for other reasons, it would be in your best interest to finish out your contract, until your resignation date and search for a new job.
Despite things not working in your favour, try your best to maintain your professionalism. Do not become resentful or hostile, but politely thank you employer for their consideration and express your gratitude for your time spent at the company. It may be disappointing; however, this is not the time to burn bridges and turn you soon to be former employer into your enemy.
You may very well need them as a reference on your resume for your next position. As such, maintain a high performance, protect the working relationship and atleast allow yourself to benefit from a positive recommendation.
