Good points KCR for resigning to your EMPLOYER....when telling your employees or staff, of course you need to also handle with dignity and professionalism.  That is a very touchy, difficult situation.  I think you need to take some lead from your management team and include them on when and how to release the information to staff. If you see a future for your employees' careers where they are, then you should reassure them of this...otherwise, I am not sure how to advise.....This brings up a whole other topic of "How do you handle it when you staff asks where you are going and if they can come with you?!"  Any other suggestions???

It all depends on what level of management you're coming from, but I'm a firm believer in short and sweet. I resigned last year after 5 years with the company. I have 13 years overall experience. I simply wrote a 2 sentance letter stating my resignation with my last day being two weeks from the date of the letter. Then said it has been a pleasure working for X company. Signed it. Then handed it to the office manager that morning. I also made a PDF and emailed it to my supervisor (who was out of the office on business) and copied HR. I would have preferred to hand the notice to my supervisor, but he traveled a lot and I had to resign that day in order to start my new job on time. Also, starting 2 months before resigning, I got as much out of the way as possible and said no to a lot of new projects that crossed my plate. Made leaving a lot easier and resulted in fewer phone calls after I left. Good luck!

MNS, I would definitely have to side with you.  Turning in a resignation letter is always a part of the process, and I see it more of a formality than anything else, makes it "official."  I think the letter should be turned in immediately following the face-to-face verbal resignation, or right in the beginning of that conversation.  No need to get into the nitty gritty details as to why you are leaving, but I agree, in order not to burn any bridges any professional should be respectful enough to have that meeting.  The meeting should not be a major conference, but just a part of the resignation process where one let's their employer know of their intentions, all the positive reasons that they are moving on, and to sure up an exit strategy so projects are transitioned properly, so clients are notified in the correct manner, and so management can prepare to deal with any anxiety one's leaving may cause the rest of the staff.  That being said, one's resignation can be a blessing in disguise as well, but that's a whole other matter.   As far as the notice time frame, 2-3 weeks is acceptable, definitely no longer.  Reason being, the employee is a "lame duck" employee.  Remaining in the office any longer is wasteful; it can build up resentment, and the employee leaving is already mentally resigned, so their head is likely not so "into the game" anymore, as they are preparing and more excited about the next step they will be taking in their career.