Dr. Marty McCulley resigned as FDA Commissioner on Tuesday, and President Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social showing the text of Dr. McCulley’s purported resignation.
A White House official confirmed to CNBC that McCurry’s resignation had been communicated in writing. The announcement came after days of reports that the White House was planning to fire him.
The FDA shakeup raises the question, “Should I resign in writing?”
While each exit is different, experts say workers typically need to take a different approach.
Bonnie Dilber, senior talent acquisition manager at software company Zapier, recommends speaking to your manager directly to break the news, if possible, before sending a formal resignation letter via email to create a record.
“How you leave your job matters,” she told CNBC Make It. “If you leave poorly, it can impact your potential future opportunities.”
Your resignation letter should express your gratitude, specify the date of your resignation, and ask for direction on how to ease the transition. Although most resignation letters are not made public, Dilber says, you should consider that “everything you put in writing carries your name forever.”
Texting resignations is more common in “high-turnover jobs,” including some retail jobs and other front-line positions, said T. Tara Turk-Haynes, leader of Fractional People and owner of human resources consultancy Equity Activations. She added that while it’s rare to see text resignation messages from people in higher-level or white-collar positions, there are often protocols for such communications.
Dilber and Turk Haynes said a two-week notice period is standard for many workers to smooth the transition. Among senior leaders, Dilber has seen employees give months’ notice or stay on until a replacement is hired.
“If you embarrass people, they’ll remember that,” Dilber says, noting that it can affect how people talk about you during background checks and backdoor conversations, which can affect future employment.
But you should also be prepared for your employer to ask you to resign before your notice period ends, Turk-Haynes says.
You may be required to attend an exit interview after leaving your job. In these conversations, it’s a good idea to maintain a good relationship and provide constructive feedback. Dilber suggests focusing on criticizing the process rather than the person “objectively and factually.”
“When we get emotional, we come back and say things that hurt us,” Turk-Haynes added.
Generally, it’s best not to burn any bridges on your way out the door. “These circles are small,” Dilbar says. “Your reputation and how you retire will follow you.”
Do you want to get ahead at work? Next, you need to learn how to make effective small talk. In CNBC’s new online course, “How to Talk to People at Work,” expert instructors share practical strategies for using everyday conversations to increase visibility, build meaningful relationships, and accelerate career growth. Sign up now!
