--- title: Can My Boss Refuse to Accept My Resignation? description: You're probably free to quit. But give your boss a list of ways you can help ease the transition. And then get any agreement in writing. authors: - name: Kristen Bahler role: Managing Editor url: https://money.com/author/kristen-bahler/ bio: Kristen Bahler has spent more than a decade turning culture, work and consumer spending trends into conversation-driving stories. Today, she leads Money's sponsored content channel and reader-favorite franchises like Best Places to Live and Best Places to Travel. education: Northeastern University, MA Journalism at_money_since: 2016 articles: 52 covers: - Career Advice - Banking - Business - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-bahler/ published: '2016-09-09T12:00:55.000Z' modified: '2016-09-09T12:00:55.000Z' section: Career Advice tags: - changing jobs word_count: 458 canonical: https://money.com/manager-refuse-accept-resignation/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![A rectangular gold sign with black lettering says no exit,no way out.](https://img.money.com/2016/09/160809_ca_bossrefuse.jpg) **Q: I found a new job that offers a better opportunity for my family and career, and I'm preparing to submit my resignation next week. My current boss is stressed and overwhelmed, and I'm afraid he won't accept it. What if he refuses to let me go?** **A:** If you’ve signed a contract agreeing to stay on for a fixed term, you’ll face a costly, legal headache if you leave -- so chances are you'll have to sit tight. If you’re an at-will employee, however -- most employees are -- you’re free to seek other opportunities at any time. (By the same token, you can also be fired.) Even so, your boss might try to persuade you to stay -- particularly if you work on a small team or have specialized knowledge that will be tough to replace. Maybe it’s a particularly busy season, and he's concerned the team will flounder without you. Maybe he’s scared he won’t be able to find someone who can fill your shoes. And while your boss can't prevent you from leaving, an unhappy departure can soil your ability to use him as a reference in the future. If you're committed to moving on, then Mary Jeanne Vincent, a career strategist in Monterey, Calif., suggests you develop a list of ideas to help ease the transition. Can you be flexible with your timing, or stay on as an interim consultant? Can you be “on call” for questions during the lunch hour at your new gig? Can you help train your new hire? At the same time you resign, present those options to your manager -- ideally, in person. “You want to make it as easy for your boss as possible,” Vincent says. “Show him you’re committed to the company by showing exactly how you’re prepared to help.” If you agree to provide any continued help, get the negotiated terms in writing, Vincent suggests. It’s vital that you both you and your boss know exactly how many hours you’re agreeing to, the length of the commitment, and whether you'll be compensated. For any ongoing consulting work, you should be paid at a higher rate than what you're currently making, she says. After all, it's going to cut into your free time right as you're trying to ramp up for another job. If things get heated, she says, table the conversation -- although not your effective resignation date -- for a day or so, scheduling a separate meeting to discuss your exit and a plan for handing off your work to a successor. From an etiquette standpoint, follow up the conversation with a cordial letter of resignation. 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