Resigns

Resigns is the third-person singular present tense of the verb resign, meaning to voluntarily leave a job, position, or office and relinquish the associated duties, responsibilities, and authority. A person who resigns typically communicates their intent through a formal statement or letter.

The term derives from the Latin resignare, often described as to relinquish or withdraw a claim. In modern usage, resignation implies a voluntary decision rather than a forced termination, though the circumstances surrounding a resignation can vary widely.

Resigns applies in a range of contexts, including private employment, public office, corporate boards, and other assemblies or committees. People may resign for personal reasons, to pursue other opportunities, health concerns, or disagreements with an organization. In politics, resignations can have notable consequences for governance and succession, sometimes triggering the appointment of a replacement or triggering a special election.

Procedures surrounding resignation typically involve notifying the relevant authority, supervisor, or employer. A resignation letter or formal statement often specifies an effective date, which may be immediate or set after a notice period. Employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and organizational rules may govern notice requirements, handover of duties, return of property, and access termination.

Consequences of resigning include the termination of employment or office, the cessation of official powers, and changes to compensation, benefits, and eligibility for future positions. Some resignations are followed by transitional arrangements to ensure continuity, while others are immediate. Constructive resignation may occur when conditions force an implicit departure, even without a formal notification.

See also: resignation letter, quitting, dismissal, retirement.