Leaving the Job

The transient nature of the military lifestyle means that it is almost inevitable that you will leave one or more positions because of a PCS move. Whether you have enjoyed the position or not, it is very important to strategize and prepare for your departure. You need to leave your job just as you have approached it: professionally. The goodwill of your previous employer and colleagues can be vital for your future career prospects. Never burn a bridge!

Anticipating a PCS

Every military spouse has heard the anecdotal story about the family that had PCS orders in hand only to have them change at the last minute. It is normal to have an idea of when you will be departing before your spouse receives official orders. As a career-minded military spouse this places you in a difficult position. While you want to give your place of employment an appropriate amount of time to source a replacement, revealing your intention to leave too early can also see you removed from promotion and training opportunities. An employer, understandably, will not want to invest significant time or money in you if they know your departure is imminent.

How you handle this situation will depend on the relationship you have with your employer, but you may wish to wait until you have official orders with a date of departure before you make any announcement. Bear in mind that your boss should always be the first to hear about you leaving. NEVER discuss a potential departure with colleagues, unless you have first made your supervisor aware of it.

It’s Official: You Are Moving

Once you know you are relocating, you should consider a number of factors and make a plan before telling your boss:

Date of Resignation.

PCS can be a hectic time. Your spouse may need to attend a course en route to their next location and you may be moving to an unfamiliar location in which you have no support structure. If there is an intermediate course or location, consider the option of remaining in your current location (and hence position) while your spouse is in the intermediate location. This reduces the number of moves you will need to make, gives you greater longevity in your current position, and also gives you time to begin searching for a job in a new location. The obvious disadvantage is that you may need to carry out the PCS move alone.

Amount of Notice.

There is no “correct” amount of notice for leaving a position, but most professional and corporate positions would consider two weeks the absolute minimum. Two weeks is not generally long enough to advertise for and find a replacement, so you may be leaving the company and your coworkers in a difficult position. Consult your hiring paperwork or the HR department to determine if your company specifies a required amount of notice, but consider giving the professional courtesy of at least 4-6 weeks notice. This gives the company a reasonable amount of time to locate a replacement and you can offer to provide some assistance in training the replacement, if this is appropriate.

Transfer and Telecommuting Options.

Think carefully about your company structure, your current position, and the projects you know your company is involved with. You are a valued and proven employee so there may be potential for a transfer to a different location or remote employment options. Even if the company has no current telecommuting positions, consider presenting a plan for one to your employer if this is appropriate for your field. Be prepared to discuss how you could accomplish your duties or project remotely and why maintaining you (with your skills, training and company knowledge) in this position is more beneficial to the company than recruiting a new hire. Even negotiating significantly reduced hours can be a valuable arrangement for you, as it allows you to maintain the employer and position on your resume rather than introducing a gap in employment. Military spouses who have successfully negotiated transferring a traditional position to a telecommuting one give the following suggestions:

• Work schedule.

  Offer to work the same hours as the company works (this may mean 3 AM– 12 PM your time) to enable efficient email, phone conversation, and decision-making with other employees.

• Methods of communication.

  Present alternatives to current responsibilities that require face-to-face contact, such as video teleconferencing/Skyping or sharing responsibilities with a locally-based colleague.

• Contractual arrangements.

  Suggest short term or as-required contracts, or reduced hours to cover projects that can be completed remotely.

• Non-negotiable locational responsibilities.

  Demonstrate your willingness and commitment to return to the company location for set time periods (such as two weeks per year) if some aspects of your position—such as involvement at major events or mandatory training—can only be undertaken in that location.

Giving Official Notice

Your supervisor should ALWAYS be the first to find out that you are leaving. Once you have considered your plan, ask for a personal meeting and professionally convey your resignation and reason. Your verbal advice of resignation should also be accompanied by written notice in a business letter format. Keep this letter simple, but express your appreciation for the opportunities you have been given, as the letter will remain on file. Remember that you want to leave a lasting positive impression with this employer so be prepared to answer all of their questions, including your date of departure, your plan for finalizing work and handing over responsibilities, and your intentions in advising colleagues and clients.

Your second step in the departure process should be advising key colleagues of your departure before you notify clients and other staff. Extending this professional courtesy to your primary colleagues allows them to anticipate and plan for your departure before they are asked questions by the wider staff.

After your supervisor and key staff have been notified and been given time to react to your departure, consider asking for references—either written, through a medium such as LinkedIn, or by verbally obtaining permission to use individuals as a reference in a future application. If asking for a written reference, offer to draft some of your key accomplishments to reduce the workload on the reference writer. It is always better to seek a reference when your performance is at the forefront of your employer’s mind, rather than waiting until 3-6 months later.

As your final day approaches, ask for an “exit interview,”‘ or a chance to sit down with your supervisor or key company leaders on your last day. This allows you to demonstrate how you have transferred your responsibilities and prepared your replacement and the company for success. It leaves a lasting professional impression and also gives your supervisor the chance to seek any suggestions you may have for improvements as the company goes forward. If you are asked for thoughts and advice, always remain diplomatic and professional. A past employer or former colleague can be an incredibly helpful resource in your career. Don’t brag, complain, be negative or make any enemies on the way out.

Know your Entitlements

Employment-Related Benefits.

Shortly after giving notice, check with your company Human Resources Department or the State Department of Labor website to gain advice about severance pay, accrued vacation, overtime and sick pay, pension plan distribution and rollover requirements. Keep in mind that some large companies may take up to three months to process your withdrawal from their rolls. Have your banking and 401(k)/IRA rollover information available when meeting to discuss these items.

Unemployment Benefits.

A growing number of states now allow military spouses to receive unemployment when they are required to leave a position due to relocation of their spouse. The National Conference of State Legislatures has the state by state breakdown of military spouse unemployment compensation and requirements and MOAA also maintains a list of states that have legislation in place regarding military spouse unemployment benefits. If you submit for unemployment while moving for a PCS, make sure you submit a copy of your spouse’s orders with your unemployment paperwork, and list your spouse’s military relocation as the reason why you are leaving your position on your resignation letter and all other relevant forms. Ensure you keep a copy of the resignation letter or forms you provide to your employer. Most states only allow you to resign 30 days before the report date listed on your spouse’s orders, so be careful about leaving too early if you plan to file for unemployment.

For additional recommendations on how to leave a job on good terms, see the following articles:

Peace out - How to leave your job on good terms, The Daily Muse

Leaving a job professionally, Claros Group

Please share any comments, suggestions or personal experiences you have had in leaving a position in the comments section below.