In a recent case the claimant said “I’m done” and walked out of the building. She later submitted a sick note. Her employer treated her statement as a resignation. She brought a claim of unfair dismissal.
The tribunal held that she had not resigned and found in her favour. They looked at the context in which Mrs Cope had said “I’m done” (a tense meeting), her anxious state and the fact that her actions after saying these words (in submitting a sick note) were not consistent with having resigned.
Be careful when believing an employee has resigned because it could well be regarded as being ‘in the heat of the moment’
If you have concerns that the employee’s possible resignation was made in a temper or in the heat of the moment, then the law says you should give the employee a cooling-off period in which to consider their decision before accepting it. This need only be a few days maximum.
If the resignation is clear and unambiguous and has not been prompted by an emotive or highly-charged situation then you are able to accept it immediately. Once you have accepted it the resignation will stand unless you agree to its retraction.
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