démission

Démission is the act of voluntarily quitting a job or an office. In French, the term is used to describe the formal decision by an employee to leave their position and is distinct from being dismissed (licenciement) or from retirement. It can also refer to resignation from political or administrative roles.

In the employment context, démission typically requires a written statement, or resignation letter, addressed to the employer. A notice period (préavis) is usually required, the length of which is determined by the employment contract, collective agreements, and local law. The notice can be waived or shortened by mutual agreement or by the employer’s agreement. The resignation is generally effective on a specified date or when the notice period ends, and the employee’s duties end on that termination date.

Consequences of a resignation include the end of the employer–employee relationship and the cessation of wages, with any earned pay and accrued rights settled in accordance with the contract and law. Post-termination obligations, such as confidentiality or non-compete clauses, may continue to apply. In many jurisdictions, voluntary resignation can affect eligibility for unemployment benefits, and rules vary depending on local employment law and the circumstances of the departure.

In politics and administration, démission also describes resigning from an elected or appointed office. The procedures and consequences depend on the applicable constitution, statutes, or rules of the relevant jurisdiction. A resignation may trigger succession processes, by-elections, or the appointment of a temporary or caretaker government, depending on the legal framework.

Etymology and usage: the word derives from Latin demissio, via Old French demission, and entered modern French with the sense of release from a duty or position. Today, démission is a formal act recorded in writing and plays a central role in both employment law and political accountability.