How to Retract a Resignation Letter Easily?

Regardless of submitting a resignation letter, an employer often finds him/her in a position to overthink the matter and decides that they want to keep the current job or not. This is when then think whether to retract a resignation letter or not?

Retracting a resignation letter does not always work, but there are ways that an employer could use to nullify the resignation on time.

Usually, this happens when a valued employee of the company was handed a resignation letter and the manager would try to compromise with the employee. This includes promotion offers and location changes etc.

Moreover, if the said employee has already given the resignation letter and has decided to change his decision and join back to the company, then talking to the higher-ups about it can be embarrassing.

Retraction Letter Meaning:

Retraction letter in its literal form defines as a public statement or a letter that ceases, prevents, stops, withdraws or refutes the original statement and blocks the original statement from taking effect.

It is done to prove the higher-ups that the previous statement said is not true.

Resignation in the corporate world is done to end a relationship between the employer and the employee if there is any kind of disagreement in the working terms, thus bringing the contract to an end.

In reality, the employee does not have the right to unilaterally dismiss a resignation letter once submitted.

But over the years, there has been a relaxation of the rule in certain areas that the employee can dismiss the resignation under special circumstances and the company obliged to take the employee back.

Can I Retract a Resignation Letter?

When you are not happy with your work, it clearly shows your work performance. You tend to lose focus and will not be able to concentrate on the work you do, which can affect the outcome of your work.

Many people at such times just think of reasons to quit. Though this is one of the solutions and decisions like this should not be taken in a hurry or with a moody mind. You should carefully think about your plans and the steps to take after you quit your present job.

Most people sometimes quit their job in a gist, just like that. But later after analyzing everything feel that they have made a mistake. The only solution they are left with is to move on with the decision or talk to your manager about the withdrawal of your resignation.

Let us suppose that, you are in such a situation. You have had a strong miscalculation with your teammate and in that anger, you handed out the resignation but later thought of it as a small issue and analyzed your mistake of quitting. Now the main question which arises is “what would you do?”

Now there will be only two solutions left,

1. To move on and search for another job
2. Withdrawing the resignation letter.

Though the possibility of the first option is viable the only con is that it may take some time.

If you are thinking of the second solution then definitely you will be doubting that “Can I withdraw my resignation?” or “Is it OK to withdraw resignation?”

But do not worry as here we have crafted a step by step guide on how to deal with such a situation. Let us have a look at them,

1. Sending a written request
2. Prepare what to include in the letter
3. The content should be precise
4. It also depends on the type of employee you were
5. Talk to your HR or manager personally
6. Be ready for your boss’s decision
7. Finally, move on, if it doesn’t work (as the world never ends there)

What if its a resignation caused due to a disagreement with the higher-ups? Does the employee still have the right to cancel the resignation submitted?

We often think about the situation where what if the resignation is the result of a disagreement or a fight with the boss?

Does the employee have the right to cancel the resignation?

The basic position of the employee is that he/she does not have the right to take back the resignation once submitted.

But, in the end, it all depends on the decision made by the employer.

If the employer allows the employee to dismiss the resignation letter submitted, then it is fine from both sides.

But usually in this case, when an employee submits the letter in the heat of the moment under no valid reason to leave the company, then the employer usually does not allow retraction of the letter.

A more technical approach for this situation is to allow a cooling period for the employee to reflect upon his decisions and actions.

The cooling period usually is a day or two. But, if the employer does not allow any cooling off period and suddenly accepts the letter by the employee, then it concludes as a situation where the employee dismisses by the employer and not the converse.

Will this affect the employee’s future references?

While discussing the references for employees, it should note that the references made by the previous employer should be true, precise and should not be misleading.

The employer should state out the valid reason that the employee has decided to terminate the relationship with the company and it would be simply wise to state that the employee resigned.

Letter of Retraction and Apology:

When you have said something hurtful and untrue which can cause the effect to an individual or a group, it is necessary to retract the original statement.

Whether you do it via writing or through any other media, trying to retract a statement often exercise as the first method for damage control.

Retracting a statement may not be easy, as it involves admitting your mistakes, it can gain admiration for being honest and straightforward most of the time.

Firstly, decide on the form in which you would like to retract the original statement. If your actions have hurt or caused distress to a colleague or a higher up, a personal conversation is a good idea.

If the person is busy, then also add an apology letter to the conversation. If the retraction is on the behalf of someone else or from the company, then a letter or memo is enough.

Respond quickly to the request regarding retraction. When you think that the retraction is the appropriate step try to follow, then respond to the request for a retraction of the resignation letter in a written form. Taking such steps might help you to avoid any legal actions from the other party.

Admit that you were wrong. Reflect upon your actions and state why your actions and behavior were wrong. Also, try to talk with the higher-ups and try to negotiate with the retraction.

Try to be as truthful as possible while reflecting upon your mistakes. Also, try to make a corrective statement.

The corrective statement includes, what was the truth behind the situation that leads to submitting your resignation letter?

What could have been done instead of taking such an action?

A corrective statement is a good method to avoid any legal liability.

I apologize for your actions. Try to show a sincere and truthful regret about your actions and also the consequences relating to the said action.

Try to be as truthful as possible and try to tell the employer it was an honest mistake (if it was).

Promise to do better in the future. An individual cannot change his past and his actions, but can certainly change his or her future. This can be done by promising the employer to be more diligent and hard-working in the future.

Thus, a sense of trust can form between the employee and the employer. Try to mend your ways and promise the employer that you will not repeat the same mistake. Try and work hard to keep that promise.

Example of a retraction and an apology letter:

Is it Ok to Retract a Resignation Letter During Notice Period:

It is stated by the Supreme Court of India that an individual has the right to dismiss or retract the resignation within the notice period and is entitled to the benefits of the company during that period if he or she is not allowed to work.

It is also stated that an employee remains in work within that company if he or she retracts the resignation thus maintaining the relationship between the employee and the employer.

A notice, once given by the employee cannot withdraw occasionally, unless by the employer himself.

The notice is given by the employee so that the employer could search for a suitable candidate when the current employee resigns the job. This is the main reason why employees instruct to give a sufficient amount of time so that it can provide enough time for the employers to fill the position fast.

The termination of the withdrawal period from the current employee could create lots of problems. This could make the new employee jobless as he also will be resigning from his current for the search for a new job or a new prospect.

This logic applies to both the employers and the employees. Employers cannot also withdraw the notice period given unilaterally. This can also cause the employees being under two employers at once.

So from both the parties dismissing the resignation should be a mutual understanding. This prevents causing problems for both the employees and employers in the future.

An exception to this act could only when the mental state of the employee is not right such that the act did was not completely voluntary.

This can make the employer reconsider the decision made by the employee. These laws come under the Mental Health Act which is also stated by the Supreme Court of India.

Withdrawal of Resignation after Acceptance:

These types of retractions can put into action if the employer submits his resignation on the grounds of mental health or emotional grounds.

This is to make sure that the resignation was not voluntary from the side of the employee and that he or she was under emotional pressure.

If not, then try to think about the resignation during the notice period. This is done so that it won’t affect the next individual filling up the spot.

If the organization does not accept the withdrawal request then the employee can go up to a third party to solve the problem on the grounds of unfair dismissal.

The employee can look up for the court to solve the issue or can look up to the human resource department of the company, the trade union, and other such parties.

The employer also has the equal right to reconsider the decision and decide whether or not to rehire the employee. Both parties are equally obligated to taking a proper decision on the issue.

One of the best methods is that the employee and the employer should discuss the various reasons or circumstances in which the employee gave his submission letter.

The employer should listen to it carefully and should take an appropriate decision. If the employer does not look into the employee’s case properly and then relieve from the job, then the employee can complain against the employer on the grounds of unfair dismissal.

Retract a Resignation Letter – Dealing with the Aftermath:

1. Where you stand

As an employee, try to understand where you stand within the organization. In the end, it is the employer who decides whether he or she should hire you.

Your employer may consider retraction of the resignation under certain circumstances so the effort of requesting a retraction is still the effort from the employee’s side.

The employer can accept or reject your request for retraction based on the following reasons.

• Your employer will be able to reconsider your resignation if you have been a valuable employee in the past and the reasons for which you had resigned seems logical and understandable to the employer.
• The employer is less likely to accept retraction if the employer has been performing poorly in the past and the resignation was done in a raging fit or emotional pressures. Also, when the employer finds the initial reasons for resignation as illogical and sketchy.

2. Work hard regardless of the answer given

If the employer decides to give you the perk of retraction of your resignation try to prove the employer that it was a wise decision and try to make up for the inconvenience caused to the employer by working hard and showing promising results.

If the employer, denies the retraction request, then as an employer you have the obligation to work in the company under the notice period.

Try to prove the employer that there are no hard feelings between you and the employer and try working hard.

Burning bridges when resigning or leaving a bad note can prove disastrous for you as a job aspirant since most of the future companies will contact this employer for references and assistance.

3. Move on when needed

If the retraction request is denied, then try to move on from the company as the job loss is inevitable.

This saves your time and makes you help survive the job.

Moreover, it can also provide you a situation where you can learn about the different aspects of job searching and might help you to update your resume.