Best time and day to resign from your job (and why)

You’ve got another job on the cards and want to resign from your current one. Or you’ve been feeling the tight grip of occupational burnout, and you want some time for yourself, a deserved rest.

Then, informing your boss of your decision to quit is the right thing to do, of course.

But what day of the week is best to give notice? How important is it to find the perfect time to break the news to your manager?

Choosing a particular day and time for your resignation actually does make a difference.

What is the best day of the week to resign from your job?

The best day to resign and hand in your notice is on a mid-week day, preferably Tuesday or Wednesday. This will give your boss enough time to adjust to the news and you’ll have 2 or 3 days until the weekend to let your colleagues know of your forthcoming departure.

Although traditionally, employees pick the last day of the week to quit their job, this can often be a mistake.

You see, your employer wouldn’t appreciate receiving the unsettling news of losing a valuable member of staff just before the weekend.

And you wouldn’t want to leave the job and part with your superior on bad terms, right?

After all, you never know when you’ll need a good word from your boss in the future.

Furthermore, giving your resignation notice on a Wednesday, for example, can open up the opportunity for negotiating your position at the company.

Your boss may come up with an enticing offer for you to consider before the weekend arrives.

Conversely, by leaving on the last day of the week, you will probably be throwing that chance of getting a counteroffer out the window, as your boss will have the time to simmer with resentment over your betrayal – especially if you are quitting a job that you started recently.

Should you resign on a Friday or Monday?

Resign on a Friday if the reason for leaving is, say, the toxic company culture or a bad professional relationship with your boss or colleagues.

Do it right at the end of the working week because knowing the weekend is close will give you confidence and psychological safety.

The weekend ahead can only help you forget about that awkward conversation with your boss.

You’ll be simply leaving behind all disconcerting emotions for a couple of days and will have a chance to recuperate and collect yourself before your notice period takes effect.

To elaborate further, Monday is considered a bad resignation day for both you and your boss because it’s often a rather busy day in any organization.

And part of quitting your job in the most professional way possible is to think of ways to minimize the impact on your boss and your coworkers.

Meetings, memo disseminations, and conference calls usually take place on the first day of the working week, so don’t burden your employer or team leader by diverting the attention to yourself with the disturbing news of quitting the job.

Last but not least, resigning on a Monday will mean that you have a whole week ahead to deal with strange looks and remarks from your co-workers, for instance. Which won’t be very pleasant if you are leaving a toxic workplace.

What is the best time of day to give your resignation?

You now know about the preferred days to give your notice. What about the time? Should you resign in the morning or the afternoon?

The best time to submit your resignation letter is in the afternoon, ideally after 3 p.m. or towards the end of the workday. This ensures you’ll only have an hour or two left after sharing the news with your boss, helping you avoid any emotional stress if the meeting doesn’t go well.

If the company policy allows it, you can actually leave the office earlier that day, which would have been impossible with resigning at the start of the working day.

Also, there’s an increased likelihood of your boss being in a better mood in the late afternoon when they are wrapping things up for the day and looking forward to their time off in the evening.

Your boss will have plenty of time to adapt to the news and think objectively about your reasons for quitting in their own time at home rather than at the office.

Also, here are some useful tips on how to survive your two weeks’ notice.

Does it matter what time of day you hand your notice?

To make sure you leave on a positive note with your employer, you better give them sufficient notice and choose the timing carefully when your boss feels least stressed.

Your manager is likely to feel more relaxed and open to having an important staff-related conversation in the late afternoon.

In contrast, speaking to your superior about resigning your role before lunchtime may well backfire and lead to bad vibes between you for the rest of the day.

Of course, if you have little care about the consequences of parting with the organization, then it most likely wouldn’t matter what time of day you decide to break the news to your boss. You can just casually text your boss that you are leaving whenever you feel like it.

As resignation situations are unique for everyone, in some cases, it does matter what time of day you hand your notice and in others – it does not. Also, don’t forget to speak to your coworkers about leaving.

Is it better to resign in the morning or afternoon?

It is a lot better to resign in the afternoon because giving notice in the morning can lead to some uncomfortable situations with your boss and coworkers so it would be better if you wait until the afternoon.

This way you will avoid any awkwardness and snarky remarks from jealous coworkers.

The question of whether to resign in the morning or end of the day can be discussed from another perspective too, namely when we’re talking about leaving without a courtesy notice of 2 or 4 weeks.

Say, you’re quitting a temp job or seasonal employment. Then, resign in the late afternoon, so you can get your full pay for that day.

And here are some useful tips on how to speak to your boss about getting another job offer that you’d like to take.

My experience with strategic resignation

I remember the day I decided to resign from my previous job at a popular fast-food chain. It was a Wednesday afternoon, around 4 p.m.

I had chosen this specific day and time after much contemplation. Mid-week felt right because it provided my boss ample time to process the news before the weekend.

The afternoon timing, closer to the end of the workday, was strategic. I believed it would allow for a more private conversation without the rush of morning tasks and meetings.

Additionally, it ensured I had only a couple of hours left in the day, minimizing the immediate emotional aftermath at work.

My intuition proved right. The conversation was calm, understanding, and constructive. Looking back, I’m convinced that choosing the right time and day played a significant role in that positive experience.

Frequently asked questions