Many people decide to take a break from their careers after the birth of a child. That said, remember that you will probably be returning to the workforce at some point in the future, so be sure that you resign on the best possible terms, leaving the lines of communication open. Since you are leaving as a result of a happy life event, your pregnancy, it’s likely that your supervisors and coworkers are already aware that you will be taking some time off from work in the not too distant future. You’ll need to be careful what you share with the people you work with until you are certain of what you plan to do after the baby’s birth. Make sure that you genuinely want to quit your job, rather than taking parental leave for a period of time after the baby arrives. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-secured leave for the birth or adoption of a child. There are also state laws and company policy that may provide leave from your job.
Decide How Much Notice You Want to Give
It’s typical to provide two weeks’ notice when you resign from a job. However, given the circumstances, you may wish to offer a longer notice period, or leave sooner. It’s worth discussing options with your manager or human resources department to ensure a smooth transition.
How to Mention Your Resignation
Regardless of your intentions concerning your return to work, you owe it to your colleagues to let them know once you’ve made your decision. When you do let your supervisor know you plan to resign, keep the conversation positive and upbeat. Since you are leaving on your terms, you might be tempted to be more candid than is prudent about the work environment. Always try to maintain and strengthen relationships with your contacts. Offer to assist in any way you can before your last day, and let your colleagues know that you’ll be available if they need references or referrals in the future. Here are some resignation letter samples to formally notify your employer that you’re leaving your job because you’re pregnant, and that you won’t be returning to work after the baby is born
Pregnancy Resignation Letter Samples
This is an example of a pregnancy resignation letter. Download the pregnancy resignation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.
Pregnancy Resignation Email Sample
When you resign by email, you don’t need to include contact information in the heading. The subject should read “Resignation - Firstname Lastname. Begin your letter with a salutation, followed by the body of the letter and a closing with your contact information. August 7, 2020 John Lee Director, Human ResourcesJohnson’s Dental123 Business Rd.Business City, NY 54321 Dear Mr. Lee, I am writing to inform you that I will be leaving my position here at Johnson’s Dental on account of my pregnancy. Although this is going to be a new and exciting chapter in my life, I am very sad to leave my beloved job here. According to my contract, I leave you with my two weeks notice, and my last day here will be August 21, 2020. I will complete the last of my duties by that day and am happy to help in the recruitment and training process for my replacement. As of now, my plan is to take a few years off to care for my baby, but I look forward to discussing returning to Johnson’s Dental down the line. Thank you for your continued support both in my time here and in this new development of my life. I will keep you updated throughout my pregnancy and hope to see you at the baby shower! Best, Patricia Lau (signature hard copy letter) Patricia Lau Dear Mr. Spears, Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation. My last day of work will be August 21, 2020. I have decided to stay home with my child after her birth for an indefinite period of time, and feel that it would be best for you to hire someone to take on my responsibilities permanently. I have enjoyed working at XYZ Enterprises for the last four years and will miss the collaboration our department shares. I have learned so much from you especially, and I appreciate the opportunities you have given me. If I can be of any assistance during this transition, please let me know. I have a few contacts who I think would be a good fit here, if you would like my input on finding my replacement. Best wishes in the future and I hope that we will have the opportunity to work together again when I am ready to return to the corporate world. Sincerely, Petra Billings
