Whether it’s a stressful work environment, a thorough lack of opportunities for advancement, or any other reason, there comes a time in most workers’ lives when leaving a job is the best path forward. If you feel your job is “toxic” because of workplace harassment or discrimination, you might want to pursue a claim later. Thus, it’s important to follow the right procedures so you can protect your rights and move forward without looking back.
The knowledgeable employment law attorneys at Joseph & Norinsberg can show you how to properly resign from a toxic job and seek your next opportunity with a clean slate. Contact us online or call 212-227-5700 today for a free consultation.
What Are the Steps to Resign from a Toxic Job?
The first step toward leaving a toxic job is deciding to quit. Resigning can create a lot of uncertainty in your professional and personal life, so make sure you’ve thought through your decision and made sure your finances are in order before moving forward.
Preparation is key when attempting to escape a toxic job. It is even more important if you are leaving because you are facing discrimination, harassment, or a hostile work environment. You must take the proper steps to preserve your rights to pursue a claim.
Make sure to document why your job was “toxic,” keeping any records or communications that illustrate your issues with the workplace. Should you make a discrimination or harassment claim later, this will serve as crucial evidence to build the foundation of your case.
Taking notes of any incidents of harassment or unfair practices can also help lay the groundwork for your resignation. If necessary, attempt to get witness statements from your co-workers to corroborate your side of the story.
Knowing where you’re headed next can make leaving your job less stressful. Update your resume and search for new job opportunities before pulling the trigger on your resignation. Even if you can’t secure a new position before leaving, getting a headstart on your job search can speed up the process.
Once you feel ready, draft a professional and polite resignation letter and prepare to make your move.
What to Say When Leaving a Toxic Job
Be prepared to give your employer at least two weeks’ notice when you resign. While you’re not legally required to do so, giving your employer time to process and adjust to your resignation will go a long way toward maintaining your professional relationships.
If possible, it’s best to break the news to your boss in person, but it’s also important to put your thoughts in writing before doing so. Stay professional and polite during this conversation and any other formalities you go through on your way out, doing your best to avoid speaking negatively about your employer or coworkers.
If you have complaints you want to share with your employer, save them for your exit interview. Exit interviews are often confidential and present an opportunity to give authentic feedback about your experience in a toxic work environment. However, if you have experienced targeted harassment or other situations that might give rise to a legal claim, consult with an employment lawyer before telling the company.
What to Avoid When Resigning from a Toxic Job
Leaving a toxic job might inspire you to mirror your work environment’s negative energy on the way out. However, giving in to the toxicity can hurt your professional life and your standing with your past employer and coworkers. Keeping the peace will help your exit process be as painless as possible.
Avoid burning bridges where possible. Make sure to participate in all formalities expected of you when leaving your job, as skipping out on your employer’s requests during your final two weeks can sour your relationship.
Above all, avoid resigning from a toxic job without a plan. A particularly frustrating day at work could prompt you to quit on impulse, but having your affairs in order before you commit will save you a lot of stress and energy later.
Legal Ramifications of a Toxic Work Environment
Federal, state, and local laws protect New York City workers from hostile work environments based on repeated discrimination or hateful conduct based on an individual’s perceived membership in a protected class. When discriminatory harassment is severe or pervasive to the point of changing the conditions of your job or creating an intimidating or abusive climate, it may be considered a hostile work environment and unlawful under federal, state, or city law.
Under the New York State Human Rights Law, all employers are responsible for keeping their workplaces free of discrimination or harassment based on several protected characteristics.
If you’ve experienced repeated discrimination or harassment that has created a toxic work environment, the skilled employment law attorneys at Joseph & Norinsberg can help you pursue a claim for your damages.
Our team handles a wide variety of cases, including discrimination and harassment based on the following:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex, including pregnancy and sexual orientation
- Disability
- Age 40 and older
- Citizenship status
- Genetic information
How Can an Employment Lawyer Help You Resign from a Toxic Job?
It is wisest to consult an employment lawyer before leaving your job. An experienced and skilled attorney can help you fully prepare to leave a toxic work environment. Your attorney can review all relevant information with you, ensuring you have a solid plan for what to do next and can properly comply with everything expected of you on your way out. Moreover, a lawyer can protect and preserve your rights to pursue a claim.
If you’re considering pursuing a claim for discrimination or harassment, your lawyer can help you understand your options, gather evidence, and determine whether you have a viable case. Having experienced legal counsel on your side will be invaluable for avoiding missteps and successfully winning compensation for what you’ve experienced.
Contact Joseph & Norinsberg For Your Employment Law Cases
With over 75 years of combined experience handling cases like yours, the dedicated attorneys at Joseph & Norinsberg are ready to help you leave your toxic job and pursue claims against your employer. We will fight tenaciously to defend your rights and won’t stop until you win the compensation you deserve.
Contact us online or call 212-227-5700 today for a free consultation.
