Resigning in German: The Conversation and the Handover
Telling your boss you're leaving, holding your ground against a counter-offer, and planning the handover that decides how you'll be remembered.
Resigning is a hard conversation in your own language. In German, with a boss you respect, it can feel impossible — which is why many people put it off, or send an email instead.
Do not send an email. In Switzerland you say it in person first, and the written notice follows. And the conversation itself is shorter than you fear: about six lines.
What happens next matters just as much. The handover is what people remember about you, and Switzerland is a small country.
Key phrases to know
- Ich muss Ihnen leider meine Kündigung mitteilen. – I'm afraid I have to give you my notice.
- Was sind die Gründe? – What are the reasons?
- Ich habe ein sehr gutes Angebot von einer anderen Firma. – I have a very good offer from another company.
- Können wir über die Konditionen sprechen? – Can we talk about the terms?