is it OK to submit your 2 week notice via email?

Nurses Relations

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I work mostly weekend and my managers are never here on weekends. I want to submit my 2 week notice but I can't do that face to face. Is it considered unprofessional to send an email?

Let's see:

How would you feel if someone fired you from your job by email?

If an interviewer for your preferred position that you were praying for, interviewed you by email, not permitting any give or take interaction?

If your MD notified you of a life altering illness/condition by email?

Would you consider that professional?

I believe that you know the answer.

The other consideration is will you ever need your manager as a reference EVER in your career?

Getting fired via email happens all the time.

An email is a great way of communication that leaves you with a paper trail. It won't get lost, it goes to whom it needs to, and you have information to back up what was said and done in the email. f

I consider it very professional, and a great way to CYA. Just my $0.02.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
Generally not providing notice will cause you to not be eligible for rehire. And you need to be careful where you are at. Even if you know you'd never work for that facility again, in my area the hospitals have a list of "do not hire" people that they all share, so if you get put on that list you will have to move completely out of the large metro area. I think resigning by e-mail depends on the situation, but not giving notice is never OK.

Absolutely! Do it to the wrong healthcare system and you're done.

Catholic Healthcare West, HCA, Kaiser...

You get blackballed with any of these 3 and your job prospects are little to none across the entire country.

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Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.
Oh, but it's the new generation that embraces technology. Where all communication should be electronic, right?

You can certainly fall in line with some of the others here that think it's okay:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/thank-you-letter-574513.html

My opinion is the same. Tacky! And I'll add unprofessional as well...

NO! You should not give notice via e-mail.

Yikes, I consider myself the new generation - yes I'm in my mid-thirties (I keep forgetting, LOL). But, WOW!! There are just certain things that require a face to face and a signature. It is RESPECT for your position, facility, your manager (etc.), IMHO.

I understand people are swamped with paperwork. The good news is, they will read this and file it in her personal record, not on their desk.

If I were fired via e-mail, I would make like I didn't read it, and immediately turn in a resignation letter. But, that's just me. That is horrible... and unprofessional, and something, IMO, should NOT be done via email.

Of course, this is different is the SOLE of your facility is online. I.E., my dentist office is COMPLETELY paper free. COMPLETELY!! They have a cool machine where their x-ray shows up immediately on their computer screen. When I did my paperwork, I had to SIGN MY SIGGY WITH THE MOUSE!!! YIKES!!!

I imagine their personnel records are all on computer. Still, PERSONALLY, I would write a letter and UPLOAD it so my signature is still there. I would hand in a hard copy and explain there is also an email on the way.

The computer is good for some things... But, just as in the above case, what if it doesn't go through and you don't know it? Then you could get "fired" for no call no show... Just to many variables with "online" communication.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I think it is unprofessional. Either meet with them face-to-face for a few moments and hand it in or submit it in their mailbox. I often worked evenings/nights when there wasn't a supervisor directly on the floor so I just did the latter.

I see no problem with typing it up, printing it out and signing it, though.

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Specializes in Home Health, Foster Care.

I just resigned from a job where I only worked for two weeks. I personally sent an email because I know I never want to be hired at this organization again. It was an office job and the reason why I did that is because they lied about the job, the hours, mandatory overtime and only getting a thirty min lunch break and when I took the job they told me the job was 9-5pm and then when I get into the job, the hours were 9-5:30pm. So we actually were not getting a lunch break and we worked with a very hard population. We all needed a break to take a breather from the clients that we serviced. There were other situations that I can't get into it will take too long to type out. But anyway, I always let my supervisor know from past employment in person that I was leaving and gave them a letter in their hand. With this company, I was downright disgusted! I know I will never work for this organization again so I sent the supervisor an email and left that day. It was wrong but I could not work there for another two weeks either. Give them a letter in person because you never know if you want to go back or not unless you are in a situation like me.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Getting fired via email happens all the time.

An email is a great way of communicationVc that leaves you with a paper trail. It won't get lost, it goes to whom it needs to, and you have information to back up what was said and done in the email. f

I consider it very professional, and a great way to CYA. Just my $0.02.

Please note, I did not say that it does not happen. I in fact referenced that it has happened, in my second post.

I asked the question, "How would you feel...... with regards to those issue.

If the OP feels all hunky dory about it, and perceives it to be totally professional, leaving no bad taste in her mouth- go for it.

Otherwise, it might be better to continue with a more traditional course of action.

And just be because you send an email, does not mean that it will be read in a timely manner, allowing the recipient the requisite 2 weeks notice. In some workplaces, it would be checked regularly and in others not so much.

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And just be because you send an email, does not mean that it will be read in a timely manner, allowing the recipient the requisite 2 weeks notice. In some workplaces, it would be checked regularly and in others not so much.

Based on my experience with electronic communication bringing about no response at all, I do not rely on an email to convey anything important.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
... do not rely on an email to convey anything important.

Exactly!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Case Manager.

sourapril,

It all depends on your position. I was per diem and I believed I was entitled to resign immediately since I haven't had any assignments coming in for at least two months. I let my supervisor know that because of my new job starting soon, I wouldn't be able to give two weeks notice. Like I said, as long as you made several attempts to contact your supervisor by phone and in person, email will be the last resort. Even though I gave my original letter to the doctor, I wanted to confirm that it went to the right hands (hence the follow up phone calls and email to HR and my supervisor). You say that you work on weekends and your supervisor works weekdays. Why can't you give it to her then?

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