Resignation Pro

Does she need to write a resignation letter?

My best friend got into a fight with her employer and decided to leave her job. She was employed without a contract and now her boss is telling her that she must hand in a resignation letter. Does she have to even though there was never a contract in place? The company owes her money and the boss told her that she won't get it until the resignation letter is on his desk.

Public Comments

1. It doesn't have to be much. All she needs to do is type "I resign my position as of Jan 21, 2009." and then sign it. She doesn't have to say why. She can mail it in if she's uncomfortable going back.
2. Depending on what state your friend is, working without a contract could put her over a barrel if he decides not to pay her. She can probably get an attorney and demonstrate existence of a "verbal contract" and get a judge to make him pay her, but it will probably be a lot less trouble for her to just write a nice polite resignation letter.
3. I think 'Rock Me...' and 'Bye' have said it all. There would be a lot more hassle trying to prove whether this is the case or not, then simply writing a one or two line letter resigning from the post.
4. It is usual to write a letter of resignation when leaving a job. If your friend does not write a letter of resignation she could claim at any time in the future that she has been sacked or unfairly treated and her employer would have no proof that she had left of her own accord ("Jamaica?", "no, she left of her own accord" Sorry, bad joke). Any other employer she approaches for a job will probably want a reference so it is in her own best interest not to antagonise her ex-boss.
5. Letters are not a requirement to leave employment. They probably just want a paper trail in case she files for unemployment so they can say she voluntarily resigned.. And regardless of what the boss wants, they are required by law to pay her wages owed at a minimum on the regular payday. Things may vary slightly by state, but "at will" employment is that. She can leave without explanation... and without writing anything down.
6. I would write the letter, and keep it simple like " Effective Jan 21, 2208 I resign my postion as ______________" I would not put anyting in writing that may lead to her being at fault on something. She can say whatever she wants verbally, but dont put it in writing.