I'VE ENJOYED WORKING HERE, BUT NOW IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON'

Want to leave, but don't have the guts to? Some of us find it easier to stay in a job we don't want rather than just pack up our pencil case. Take a deep breath and repeat after me: 'It's been really lovely, but ...

·      Are you permanently stressed out?

·      Are you being told your work isn't up to standard?

·      Do you have an inordinately high number of 'off-sick' days?

·      Do you spend most of your time sending emails to your friends?

·      If you never had to go back to your job again would you even care?

·      Or perhaps you're feeling unfulfilled or bored; the money's not enough - you've asked for more and weren't successful. Whatever the reason, you've decided it's time to leave your job. But you don't like confrontation and you just don't know how to say it.

Be sure you're not just having a bad day. I have a friend who starts going to job interviews every time she has man trouble. Spend some time making sure that your current dissatisfaction really does stem from your job and is not just dissatisfaction with some other aspect of your life.

Don't discuss it with your colleagues before you do it. Discuss your plans too freely before making a firm decision, word gets back to the boss and before you know it the decision as to whether or not you leave has been made for you.

Whenever possible try to line up another job before leaving. Don't tell your colleagues about that either. Current boss hears you're looking around, new job falls through, current boss fires you: satellite and cable get cut off.

Once you've made the decision, then do it quickly. Do not email your resignation, do not text your resignation - a simple letter handed to your boss is easy and totally acceptable.

'Dear So-and-So, It is with regret that I inform you of my resignation, effective from 00/00/00. This will give you the  required one month period of notice, which I hope is sufficient time for you to find a suitable replacement for my position. I have enjoyed my two years with Quigley Elastics, but now feel [that after repeatedly asking you for more work to do and begging you for more money, which you have totally ignored that I'm going to, ooops ...] it is time to move on. Yours sincerely, ...'

Ask your boss if she has a minute, go into the office and close the door: 'I've given it some thought and, well, here you are' [hand her the letter]. If possible it is best to do this at the end of the day, after everyone is gone, to prevent it from turning into a circus. You are leaving your job because it is no longer where you want to work. You aren't handing in your resignation to get attention or to get back at your boss. It is always best to do this at the end of a pay period, and on a Friday afternoon, just in case you're told to pack your things and leave now.

Chances are they will read your letter, you will shake hands and leave - end of story. Be prepared to be asked: 'Is there anything we can do to keep you. If there is anything they could do then this is your opportunity to say it. If there isn't, then be gracious: 'Thank you for asking but: I've given this a lot of thought/discussed it with my partner/been offered another position/ - whatever - and I think this is the best course. of action.'

Then make sure they organize a fabulous leaving do and sail forth into your future!