An employee emailed us saying that if we didn’t give them a raise, the email would serve as a resignation notice. What do we need to do to accept this resignation?

Answer from Laura, MA, SHRM-CP:

We recommend you reach out to the employee to inform them of your decision not to provide them with a raise. In this communication, you can note that you’re accepting their resignation per their email and ask them when their last day will be. If the employee doesn’t provide you with a final date of employment, you can set it yourself. If you change your mind and want to give the employee a chance to backtrack their statement, i.e., stay employed without the raise, that is another option and is entirely up to you.

Be sure to check and follow state law regarding any requirements for final pay and termination paperwork. You can find this information on the state laws section of the platform under “Termination Procedures.”

Laura has 9 years of HR experience, spanning public- and private-sector work in the education, transit, and insurance industries. After completing a B.A. in Asian Studies from Knox College, she received her M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from University of New Haven along with graduate-level certificates in Human Resources Management and Psychology of Conflict Management. Laura enjoys fencing, baking, and cross-stitching.