“Retirement only means it’s time for a new adventure”

To every beginning, there must be an end. So after working as a hospitality professional for a reasonable number of years, you’ve made the tough decision to retire. You cannot just stop showing up at work one day, you need to inform your manager or employer.

The 2 important factors you must first put into consideration:

• What is a proper amount of notice (time) to give your employer?
• What is the best way to exit and word your announcement without burning any bridges? You do want to leave open future opportunities.

What is a Proper Amount of Notice to Give Your Employer?

In a world where employers have adopted a policy of terminating employees with little or no notice, it seems funny that we should have to give this any thought. Depending on employment benefit processes, there may be business time frame requirements that come into play and you will have to wait to receive any retirement benefits you’ve earned.

Aside from that, the other problem with a no-notice retirement is you are probably part of a team, and you most likely like most of your teammates. Your sudden departure will just mean they pay the price. 

Another consideration is that retiring means there has most likely been a career full of good and dedicated work. For many that mean they have a workplace legacy representing their career and don’t want to do anything to tarnish it.

When announcing your retirement, the amount of time notice you should give depends on the level of importance your job or position is:

• If you are a non-management titled employee you can give the standard resignation 4-weeks-notice. That should be acceptable.
• If you are higher up the company chain, then you should consider how long it will take to find a suitable replacement for you. This could be 3-6 months of notice.
• If your job is project-oriented, then consider key deliverable timelines and the possibility of being assigned a new long-term project, one you know you can’t or don’t want to stay until completion.

The idea is to leave knowing you did what was necessary to facilitate a smooth transition.

Disadvantages of Giving Long Notice of Retirement

Having the best of intentions and giving a long notice may cause regrets. Your employer and team might start treating you like a lame duck. You may be left out of critical planning and forward working projects that you care deeply about.

If you are retiring from a toxic work environment, you need to be very cautious about how much notice you give. It can be easy to allow emotional urges to let things fly when you are getting close to your planned milestone. If things are bad, then it could get worse. We’ve heard stories where people were fired once they announced their retirement intentions.  If you are in a toxic environment then don’t say or do anything that will jeopardize your chances of reaching your planned retirement date and goals.

What Is the Best Way to Exit and Word Your Announcement Without Burnings Any Bridges?

1. Schedule a private meeting with your manager

This can be a formal or informal meeting. It Depends on how high up the corporate food chain you are and/or your relationship with your manager. Most people make this an informal conversational discussion. You should figure out what to expect based on your unique employment situation and then act accordingly.

You should always let your manager know first about your retirement plans. If you start telling your co-workers it will get around. Once you schedule this meeting with your manager it may be awkward if they have already heard through the office grapevine of your plans to retire.

At some point, management will most likely release an official retirement announcement.  You should personally tell your close co-workers or team yourself before that happens.

2. Write a Formal Retirement Letter

Your Human Resource (HR) department will need a formal letter of your intentions to retire. This is so they can put it in your file. Make sure you include specific dates so that they can figure out any unpaid sick pay or vacation days you have coming to you. Also key is including your contact and mailing information. Especially if you plan on moving once retired. This way you will be sure to get your benefits, any checks, and other important career and work-related documents that you will need after retirement.

Revealing your retirement intentions to your manager and/or employer can be quite tough in the mind, but in reality, it isn’t. Ensure your decision to retire is best for you and also prepare to  answer a lot of non-business questions like

• What will you do next?
• What does your spouse think about this?
• Are you sure this is the right thing to do?
• Don’t you think it is too early to retire? Etc.