Should You Resign From Your Job? 21 Ways You Can Negotiate With Your Employer

When you're considering resigning from your job, it's important to think about all of your options. There may be ways to negotiate with your employer to improve your situation, and it's important to weigh all of your options before making a final decision. In most cases, resignations can usually be avoided via candid discussions and negotiations between employers and employees.

There are a few things you should keep in mind if you're thinking about resigning from your job. First, you should always give your employer two weeks' notice. This is a standard industry practice, and it gives your employer time to find a replacement for you. Secondly, you should be prepared to negotiate your severance package. This includes things like your salary, vacation time, and health benefits. And finally, you should always have a backup plan. This could include getting another job lined up before you quit, or having some savings set aside in case you need to take some time off between jobs.

Here are 21 ways you can negotiate with your employer when you're considering resigning from your job:

1. Have a discussion with your boss about why you're thinking about resigning.

If you're thinking about resigning from your job, it's important to have an honest discussion with your boss first. Express your concerns and explain why you're thinking about leaving. This will give your boss the opportunity to address your concerns and try to resolve the issues. In many cases, this can help avoid a resignation altogether.

2. Ask for a raise or promotion.

If you're thinking about resigning because you're unhappy with your current salary or position, then ask for a raise or promotion. This is one of the most common reasons why people resign, so it's important to be upfront about it. In most cases, employers are willing to negotiate salaries and promotions in order to keep good employees on staff.

3. Request more vacation time.

Another common reason why people resign is because they feel like they don't have enough time off. If this is the case, then try requesting more vacation time from your employer. In many cases, employers are willing to give employees more time off if it means they'll stay with the company.

4. Ask to work from home more often.

If you're finding it difficult to balance work and your personal life, then ask to work from home more often. This is a growing trend in the workforce and many employers are now offering this benefit to their employees. Working from home can help you better balance your work and personal life, which may make you less likely to resign.

5. Negotiate a flexible schedule.

Similar to working from home, having a flexible schedule can also help you better balance your work and personal life. If you're interested in negotiating a flexible schedule, then discuss it with your boss and explain how it would benefit both you and the company. In many cases, employers are willing to be flexible with employee schedules in order to keep them happy and productive.

6. Request additional training or development opportunities.

Are you interested in expanding your skillset or learning more about the organization? If so, then requesting additional training or development opportunities may help you feel more engaged at work. These types of experiences can strengthen your ability to contribute meaningfully to the company and make you less likely to leave.

7. Ask for clearer expectations and objectives.

If you feel like you're constantly being asked to do things without any clear guidance, it can be frustrating. Without a sense of direction, it's hard to know if you're meeting expectations. Ask your boss for clarity around what is expected of you and what objectives you should be working towards. This will help you feel more focused and motivated in your work.

8. Seek out opportunities for growth and advancement.

Are you feeling stagnant in your current role? If so, then asking for opportunities for growth and advancement can help give you a sense of purpose and motivation. Let your employer know that you're interested in taking on new challenges and developing your skills further. Discuss what kinds of opportunities would be available to you and how you could contribute to the company's success.

9. Request a flexible work schedule.

If you have certain commitments outside of work that make it difficult to adhere to a traditional 9-5 schedule, then asking for a more flexible work arrangement can be beneficial. Perhaps you need to pick up your kids from school every day or you have regular doctor's appointments that you can't miss. Whatever the case may be, explain your situation to your employer and ask if there could be some flexibility around your hours.

10. Ask to telecommute part-time or full-time.

If you don't feel like office life is for you, then asking to telecommute either part-time or full-time can be a game-changer. This way, you can create your own schedule and work from the comfort of your own home (or wherever else you'd like).

In today's workplace, there are more opportunities than ever to create a schedule that works for you. If you have commitments outside of work or you're just not a fan of the traditional 9-5, do not be afraid to let your employer know about your true feeling as most employers are willing to negotiate on this. However, you must make sure that you are adding value to your organization and that your boss thinks fondly of you, otherwise, without a lot of leverage, your requests will likely be turned down.

11. Explain your value to the company

If you're looking for a raise or a promotion, be prepared to explain your value to the company. Show them what you've accomplished and why you deserve more responsibility (and compensation).

12. Get everything in writing

No matter what agreement you reach with your employer, make sure you get it in writing. This will protect you later on if there are any misunderstandings about what was agreed upon.

13. Have a backup plan

Before you start negotiating with your employer, have a backup plan in place in case things don't go the way you want them to. For example, if you're looking for a raise but your employer can't or won't give you one, be prepared to look for another job. This will allow you to negotiate more calmly with your employer.

14. Know your bottom line

Before you start negotiating with your employer, know what your bottom line is. For example, what's the least amount of money or vacation time you're willing to accept? If they can't meet your bottom line, then you'll need to walk away from the negotiation. If you aren't willing to walk away even though your employer can't meet your needs, rethink about why you are negotiating at the first place. Needless negotiations are always worse than no negotiations, as you are taking a risk by negotiating with your employer - you never know if your relationship with your employer will deteriorate as a result of needless negotiations.

15. Be prepared to compromise

In any negotiation, both parties need to be willing to compromise, especially in negotiations with your employer. If you go into this process with the mindset that you need to get exactly what you want in order to continue the relationship, it'll be harder for anyone to feel good about any outcome. This is not a zero sum game; your goal here is to both get what you need and keep your new partner happy, so communicate honestly about what this may look like for each of you.

You must think from your employer's perspective, whose primary concern is mostly about profit and costs - would your resignation cost more for your employer than to retain you? If that is not the case, your employer is unlikely to accept your demands.

16. Don't threaten

Threatening to quit if you don't get what you want is rarely effective. Not only does it put your employer on the defensive, but it also puts them in a position of power. If you're serious about negotiating, avoid making ultimatums or empty threats.

17. Be reasonable

When asking for anything during a negotiation, be reasonable. Avoid making demands that are unrealistic or impossible for your employer to meet. Not only will this make you look unprofessional, but it will also damage your relationship with your boss and make future negotiations more difficult.

18. Seek compromise

The goal of any negotiation is to find a compromise that meets the needs of both parties involved. When bargaining with your employer, be willing to give up something in order to get something else in return . This may be the best way to keep everybody happy and increase your chances of getting a raise.

19. Be prepared to walk away

If negotiation isn't possible or if your employer isn't willing to meet your demands, be prepared to walk away from the discussion (and potentially the job). Having a solid backup plan in place will give you the confidence you need to stand your ground and fight for what you want.

20. Seek legal counsel

If you're facing unfair treatment at work or feel that your employer is mistreating you, seek legal counsel as leverage in your negotiations. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and options, and they may be able to negotiate on your behalf. However, you should use this negotiation tool as your last resort - once your employer knows that you are using legal means to get what you want, your employer may perceive this as a threat. Do not use legal grounds as leverage unless absolutely necessary.

21. Know your value

At the end of the day, whether you can get something out of negotiations with your employers depends on your employer's perceived value you bring to the organization. Know how to articulate your value to your employer before negotiating for better employment terms.