First of all, we’re sorry that you’ve had to deal with workplace injustice. Whatever your reasons for having to write a resignation letter due to unfair treatment, it’s going to be a delicate process.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to write a professional unfair treatment resignation letter, what to include, what to omit, and how to take this crucial step towards reclaiming your self-respect and dignity.
And if you only came here to see an example of a well-written unfair treatment resignation letter to use as a point of reference, here it is.
Sample Unfair Treatment Resignation Letter
How to Write a Resignation Letter Due to Unfair Treatment
Here’s an overview of how to write a formal resignation letter to your manager when you’re leaving because of unfair treatment:
- Include your contact details. The header of every letter begins with your personal contact information. This includes your full name, location, email address, phone number, and the date of the letter.
- Address the right person. Begin your letter by addressing it to your immediate supervisor or the person responsible for your work situation. If necessary, copy HR or the relevant department.
- Use a clear and direct opening. Start your letter with a clear and direct statement of your intention to resign. Include the date you intend to leave. For example: “I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name], effective two weeks from today, [Specific Resignation Date].”
- State your last day of work. This will make all the admin work easier for them. Just write down the final day you’ll be employed by the organization.
- Mention your reasons. In a concise and professional manner, explain the reason for your resignation. In this case, you can mention the unfair treatment you’ve experienced. Avoid going into extensive detail or expressing anger or frustration. Instead, focus on the facts and your own feelings. For example: “I have experienced ongoing instances of unfair treatment that have made it difficult for me to continue working at [Company Name].”
- Suggest feedback and solutions (optional). If you believe there are solutions to the unfair treatment issue, you can briefly suggest them. However, this should be done diplomatically and without assigning blame. For example: “I hope that [Company Name] can address these issues to create a more equitable and inclusive work environment for future employees.”
- Express gratitude and offer cooperation (optional). Thank the company for the opportunity to work there. Show willingness to cooperate during the transition. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s best to conclude your employment as a professional.
- Use a proper formal closing. Sign off with a formal closing, such as “Sincerely,” followed by your typed name.
We’ll go through each of the steps in more detail below.
1. Include your contact details
The header of your resignation letter includes the following personal contact information:
- Full Name
- Location
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Date
- Company Name
2. Address the right person
Formally greet your manager, supervisor, or another person responsible for dealing with your contract. If necessary, CC your HR or People and Culture team. Use the last name of your addresee:
- Dear Mr. Jones
- Dear Mrs. Hughes
- Dear Ms. Wanderwald
3. Use a clear and direct opening
Establish that the purpose of your letter is to inform the company of your intent to resign.
Here are a few examples:
- I am writing to announce my resignation.
- It is with regret that I must inform you of my resignation.
- Please accept this letter as my formal resignation.
4. State your last day of work
Write down your final day of employment. From the given date onwards, you’ll no longer be an employee of the organization.
Here are a few examples:
- My last day of work will be at [Date].
- I am writing to notify you of my resignation, effective immediately.
- As per the contract, the date of resignation will be on [Date].
You can follow this up with a brief sentence that expresses a positive sentiment of your experience as a whole. The next paragraph is when you may want to dive into a bit more detail about your point of view.
5. Mention your reasons
State how you feel about the time you’ve spent with them as an employee. If you’re grateful, mention it. If you feel disappointed, you may express this along with your reasons.
In your letter of resignation, you also have the opportunity to give your manager feedback about your experience for future candidates. That said, make sure you’re maintaining formality as you express yourself.
Now, it’s crucial to mention the unfair treatment as a reason for your departure. But do so in a manner that’s direct yet respectful.
For example, you might write, "I have decided to resign, effective [date], due to situations in the workplace that I believe are not in alignment with my professional values and expectations for a fair work environment."
6. Suggest feedback and solutions (optional)
You can address the specific issues of unfair treatment that affected your professional experience. You can also offer suggestions for improvement.
The aim is not to vent your frustrations but to give helpful feedback. A positive tone is necessary to ensure your message is received in the best possible light.
Not comfortable sharing an overview of the issues in your resignation letter?
No worries. Another option is to let your manager know that you’d rather discuss your concerns in an exit interview or a separate conversation. This can be an opportunity to detail the unfair treatment you experienced, which might help the company address these issues and improve conditions for current and future employees.
7. Express gratitude and offer cooperation (optional)
After all has been said and done, leave a positive gesture. This can be as simple as showing gratitude for the opportunity or offering your cooperation. Highlight something positive that you appreciated throughout your time at the company such as your career growth and the learning opportunities you’ve had.
8. Use a proper formal closing
End your resignation letter with a professional sign-off:
- Yours sincerely
- Sincerely
- With gratitude
- Regards
How to Quit Your Job the Right Way Despite the Unfair Treatment
The best-case scenario is to leave your job gracefully and stay on good terms with the people you’ve worked with.
Even after your resignation, your former colleagues or managers could still offer valuable support by doing a few things:
- Leaving a good reference
- Writing you a recommendation letter
- Referring you to their network
- Reinforcing your professional reputation
Still, we understand the frustration that comes with being treated unfairly. Despite that, it’s important to leave with professional courtesy.
Complete any outstanding tasks
Finish up on your remaining tasks, organize your workspace, and prepare any necessary handover documents. This professionalism can help maintain a positive image despite the circumstances of your departure.
Knowing what you have left to do can also help set your boundaries during your last few days at work before you officially exit.
Stick to the facts
Resigning because of unfair treatment is a rough situation to be in. While you may have strong feelings you want to express, approach this delicately in your resignation letter. Express your reasons for leaving respectfully.
When giving feedback on your experiences, keep the spotlight on the facts of your situation.
Briefly describe your experience
You can describe any negative experiences you’ve had that you feel are necessary to include. However, describe them in a clear, professional, and non-confrontational way.
The part of your resignation letter where you bring up your own experience should succinctly address the core issues without delving into excessive detail.
Maintain professionalism
Stay professional throughout the process of your departure. No need to share the specifics of your grievances with colleagues or managers. Overly expressing yourself may affect your relationship.
How Much Notice of Resignation Should You Give?
Give at least a 2-week notice period to your employers.
It’s courteous to let managers know in advance that you’re resigning so that they can prepare for a seamless transition. Leaving your job without any prior notice may cause a dispute and damage your reputation as a professional.
Resignation letter with immediate effect
It’s possible to resign immediately but you need to have a valid reason.
Otherwise, it comes with serious consequences. One of them is damage to your reputation and potentially getting into legal trouble because of a breach of contract.
However, there are some exceptions where you can resign immediately. These instances include the following:
- Life crisis
- Not being paid
- Mental health
- Harassment in the workplace
- Unethical environment
Resignation letter with standard notice period
The standard notice period is typically 2 weeks.
Adhere to your work agreement. Mention in your letter the date of your official departure and give the required notice period.
Resignation letter with early notice
An early notice goes beyond the minimum written period in your employment contract.
Given the sensitive nature of resigning due to unfair treatment, providing your employer with an early notice can be beneficial. It shows you’ve taken careful consideration of the company’s needs, which can especially be important when your role is critical to the team or project.
Although you may offer to help to ensure a smooth transition, you can still stay focused on the issues that led to your resignation.
How Long Should Your Resignation Letter Be?
The length doesn’t need to cover an entire page. Keeping it as short as 2–3 paragraphs is more than enough. Unless you’d like to provide some feedback on your experiences, you can add more details in the main body of your resignation letter.
Summary
Let’s recap on how to write an unfair treatment resignation letter:
- Write your contact details in the header.
- Address your manager.
- State your intent to resign.
- State your last day of work.
- Mention your reason.
- Offer constructive feedback.
- Show gratitude and cooperation.
- Sign off.
No one deserves to be mistreated in the workplace.
If you’re part of the population who’s experienced something like this and had to put up with it, we made this resignation letter example for you. This will help you leave your job in one piece and maintain your professional integrity.
Good luck!
FAQ
What should you include in a resignation letter due to unfair treatment?
The main details to include are your intent to resign, the date of your last day in the office, and the reason for your departure. Although it’s not necessary to include a reason, it’s worth mentioning the unfair treatment you experienced. You can mention specific instances but keep the details factual and concise.
What should you not include in a resignation letter due to unfair treatment?
Don’t include any emotional language, specific accusations, or detailed complaints. To address specific issues, consider sending a formal complaint to HR or discuss it in an exit interview. The purpose of your resignation letter is to simply state that you’re leaving and when you’re leaving.
You can mention a general reason why you’re resigning but it’s best to discuss the specifics in person.
Do I need to assist the company to ensure a smooth transition process?
It’s generally advisable to be willing to assist to help make the transition smooth. Cooperation is of standard professional courtesy. If you need to leave immediately, you may be unable to assist.
If there are specific terms in your employment contract, you could be legally required to cooperate.
Is it worth taking legal action?
Whether or not you take legal action after resigning hinges on the particular circumstances and the extent to which your employment rights were violated. When the situation falls under the legal definition of unfair dismissal and you have proof of a violation of specific employee rights, it may be worth seeking legal advice.
What if I’ve had no positive experiences with the company?
If you have had no positive experiences at the company, there’s no need to include insincere praise. Simply state your intention to resign, the effective date, and a brief reason for your departure.
