Boss Forces You To Sign Resignation Letter – 6 Things To Do

What’s the most ridiculous thing your boss has ever asked you to do? If you are someone whose boss forces you to sign resignation letter, this article is for you.

Signing a resignation letter can be a difficult and emotional experience. And your boss is forcing you to do it? What a jerk!

Boss Forces You To Sign Resignation – What To Do?

What can you do now that you find yourself in the most unenviable of positions?

Well, we will tell you what you can do. Your situation might not be as dire as you think. Let’s take a look at some possible solutions to your problem.

1. Don’t Sign The Resignation Letter:

The first thing you should do is refuse to sign the resignation letter. This might be easier said than done. But you must stand your ground.

If your boss is forcing you to sign a resignation letter, they are likely doing so because they want to get rid of you.

Also, they want to avoid paying you severance or giving you any other benefits you are entitled to.

By signing the resignation letter, you will be giving up those rights. And you will be making it easier for them to fire you.

So, the first thing you should do is refuse to sign the resignation letter.

2. Talk To Your Boss:

The next thing you should do is to talk to your boss. You need to find out why they ask you to sign a resignation letter.

It could be that they have misunderstood something. Or it could be that they are under some pressure themselves.

Or they could be trying to save money by getting rid of you.

Whatever the reason, you need to find out what is going on. And you need to try to resolve the situation.

3. Ask Your Boss For A Counter Offer:

If your boss is forcing you to resign, they are not happy with your performance.

So, you should try to negotiate with them. Ask them for a counter offer.

Tell them that you are willing to make some changes in your work if they are willing to keep you on.

Or, you can ask for a severance package. It is the least they can do if they force you to resign.

4. Talk To A Lawyer:

If your boss forces you to sign a resignation letter, they may be breaking the law.

Your lawyer can tell you if your boss is breaking laws by forcing you to sign a resignation letter.

For instance, in some states, it is against the law to force an employee to resign.

So, if you live in one of those states, your boss might be breaking the law by forcing you to sign a resignation letter.

Even if your state doesn’t have such a law, your boss might still be breaking other laws.

For instance, they might be violating your contract by forcing you to resign.

So, it is always a good idea to talk to a lawyer before doing anything.

5. File A Complaint:

If you think your boss is breaking the law by forcing you to sign a resignation letter, you can file a complaint with the proper authorities.

For instance, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The EEOC is a federal agency that investigates complaints of workplace discrimination.

So, if you think your boss discriminates against you, you can file a complaint with the EEOC.

Or, if you think your boss is violating your contract, you can file a complaint with the state labor board.

Each state has its labor board. The labor board will investigate your complaint. And they will take appropriate action if they find that your boss is breaking the law.

6. Quit:

You can always quit if you can’t stand working for your boss anymore.

Yes, quitting might not be the best solution. But sometimes, it is the only solution.

If you decide to quit, ensure you do it correctly. For instance, don’t just walk out in the middle of your shift. Give your boss two weeks’ notice.

And make sure you have another job lined up before you quit. That way, you won’t be left without an appointment.

Or even if you quit abruptly, complete all your work assignments before leaving. This will show your boss that you are a professional.

You can do these things if your boss is forcing you to sign a resignation letter.

Remember, don’t just give up and resign. There might be a way out of this situation.

So, think about your options and choose the best course of action for you.

When Can Your Boss Force You to Resign?

Generally speaking, your boss can’t just force you to resign. There are some exceptions, however.

We will discuss those exceptions below.

1. Your Boss Has Good Reason to Believe That You Did Something Wrong:

Did you do something that would justify your boss wanting you to resign?

If so, then your boss might have a case for forcing you to resign.

For instance, if you stole from the company or were lying on your resume. Or if they caught you doing something illegal.

These are examples of things that would justify your boss wanting you to resign.

And if you refuse to resign, they might even fire you. So, knowing your boss’s reasoning is essential before deciding what to do.

2. You Agreed to Resign in Your Contract:

When you were first hired, did you sign a contract that said you would resign if your performance were unsatisfactory?

If so, then your boss might be able to force you to resign. There are usually strict guidelines in these types of contracts, however.

So, you will want to read your contract carefully to see if your boss follows the guidelines.

If they are not, then you might have a case for refusal to resign.

3. You Are Under Investigation:

Are you currently under investigation for something? Or, has your boss told you that they are planning to investigate you for something?

If so, then your boss might be able to force you to resign. They might do this if they think you did something wrong, but they don’t have enough evidence to fire you.

So, they might ask you to resign instead. For instance, if you are being investigated for sexual harassment or embezzlement.

If you are under investigation, you should consult a lawyer before resigning.

4. They Are Laying You Off:

If your company is going through a reduction in workforce, they might lay you off.

A layoff is different from being fired. When you’re laid off, it’s not because of anything you did wrong.

It’s because the company doesn’t need as many employees and is cutting costs.

So, if they are laying you off, your boss can give you notice that your job is ending.

5. You Refuse to Take A Polygraph Test:

Some companies require their employees to take a polygraph test.

This is usually done when the company suspects that someone has stolen from them. Or if they think someone is lying about something.

If you refuse to take the polygraph test, your boss might be able to force you to resign.

But, they can only do this if you signed a contract that said you would take the test if asked.

So, if you didn’t sign such a contract, your boss can’t force you to resign.

6. You’re Not A Good Fit for The Job:

Sometimes, your boss might decide you’re not a good fit for the job.

And, they might ask you to resign because of it. For instance, if they hired to do a specific job but were not doing well at it.

Or if you’re not getting along with your coworkers. If this is the case, then your boss can’t just force you to resign.

They need to give you a chance to improve first. And, if you still can’t do the job after that, they can fire you.

All you can do in this situation is to prove to your boss that you are a good fit for the job.

Can You Say “No” If Your Boss Asks You to Resign?

So, what can you do if your boss asks you to resign? Can you say “no”?

It depends on the situation. If they are unfair and you don’t think you should resign, you can try to fight it.

Consult with a lawyer to see if you have a case. Usually, the whole process of going to court is too expensive and time-consuming.

So, it’s usually not worth it. It’s generally better to find a new job. But, if you have a strong case, you might want to go through with it.

On the other hand, if your boss has a valid reason for asking you to resign, you might not have a choice.

For instance, if you agreed to resign from your contract or are being laid off.

Final Word:

So, there you have what to do when your boss asks you to resign.

If you think they are unfair, you can try to fight them. But, usually, it’s not worth it.

It’s better to find a new job. Unless, of course, you have a strong case.

Last Updated on 8 months by Shahzaib Arshad