Look wide & then jump

After slogging for 20 years, the reward that Nikhil Malhotra got from his office stumped him. Desperate phone calls to his family, emotional blackmail and constant stress. The reason? Nikhil’s boss didn’t accept his resignation, gave him a more challenging role and better compensation.

This is not just a one-off case. With companies grappling with retention problem and employees getting more ambitious, it’s essential to make a note of a few things before taking the final leap. Before you approach your boss with the resignation letter, you must be sure whether you actually want to leave or is it just a negotiating tactic.

Make sure you have explored all avenues of progress in your organization. “One needs to figure out the extent of hunger for working elsewhere and the importance one attaches to the learning experience,” says India business consulting leader at Hewitt Sandeep Chaudhary.

Review your situation

Decide why you want to move and then seek clarifications from the employer. “One has to decide what is important for oneself. The decision is a combination of the head and the heart,” Says CEO of ABC Consulting Shiv Agarwal.

Ensure your standing in the new company. Also do figure out how will you react to counter offers in future. Widen your elements for compensation in the new organization.

Ensure protection by way of golden handcuffs (rewards and fines designed to discourage key employees from quitting), golden handshake (severance package resulting from firing, restructuring, or retirement) and golden parachute (benefits at the time of termination),” Says MD of MaFoi K Pandia Rajan.

Leave on an amicable note

You must give sufficient notice to your organization before quitting. Speak to all your colleagues about their contribution. Leave your boss with a good taste as you never know when you might need him/her again!