Company tells employee her contract ends in 9 days, demands she write a resignation letter: 'I’m not resigning'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jun 28, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

It isn't fair to fire someone and pretend that it was their own decision.

All jobs come to an end, and every so often, that end will not be the one the employee would have chosen. The working world can be cutthroat, especially in these times, and none of us who contribute to it are immune to feeling the sharp end of a role we were taken out of before we were ready.

There aren't really a lot of ways to prepare for a firing or a layoff that you didn't see coming, and that is part of what can make it so difficult. Ideally, those who still need to work would only leave a job if they had another lined up. On top of that, the switch-up from apparently being a valued member of the team to a mere former employee can be brutal.

Few companies are really capable of relieving people of their duties in a way that works for everyone, but some of them can be particularly nasty about it. Ultimately, they want to do it in a way that benefits them over the worker, and this can lead to a scenario that is a whole lot more stressful than it needs to be.

 

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  • An employee concentrates as she writes in a notebook while sitting behind a laptop
    via Vitaly Gariev

    An employee concentrates as she writes in a notebook while sitting behind a laptop

  • A woman faced an unpleasant surprise from the HR department at her company when they told her that her contract would not be renewed and her job would end in just over a week. As well as this, they expected her to sign the template of a resignation letter that they had drafted.

    She found this confusing, as she wasn't resigning, but HR wouldn't budge on their demand despite her querying why it existed and whether it was necessary. She was suspicious of the whole process, and she wanted answers as to why it was happening and what she could do about it. 

  • HR told me my contract ends in 9 days, then asked me to write a resignation letter

    I was called into a meeting with HR yesterday and told that the company will not be extending my contract after next Friday. They said it wasn't performance related, my department is just being restructured and my position is being eliminated. I asked for the
    via Upset_Association637
  • decision in writing and they said they would send the documents later that day. About an hour after the meeting, the same HR person emailed me a template and asked me to submit a signed resignation letter stating that I was leaving voluntarily for "personal reasons."
    via Upset_Association637
  • I replied that I'm not resigning. The company made the decision not to continue my employment, so I don't understand why I would write a letter claiming the opposite. HR called me almost immediately and said the resignation letter was only for "administrative convenience" and
    via Upset_Association637
  • wouldn't make any difference to me. When I asked whether it could affect unemployment benefits, my final pay, or how my departure is recorded, she kept repeating that she couldn't give legal advice. She also said refusing to sign might delay my exit paperwork,
    via Upset_Association637
  • which felt pretty close to a threat. My manager later messaged me privately and said HR had asked two other contractors to do the same thing last year.
    via Upset_Association637
  • I've saved every email and sent another message asking them to confirm in writing that my contract is ending at the company's request. So far they haven't answered that question, but they've reminded me twice to send the resignation letter before Friday. I'm not
    via Upset_Association637
  • signing anything that says I chose to leave when I clearly didn't. Is this a common HR tactic, and is there any legitimate reason they would need a resignation letter from someone they already decided to terminate?
    via Upset_Association637
  • An employee sits at a desk and types something on a laptop
    via Vitaly Gariev

    An employee sits at a desk and types something on a laptop

  • DonutAdmirable9831 Yep, sign absolutely nothing about voluntary resignation because it WILL affect unemployment. BCC (yep, not CC) all comms to your private email and 1. Keep following up that they tell you in writing you are being let go and 2. That you are absolutely not voluntary resigning.
    via DonutAdmirable9831
  • "Exit paperwork" doesn't do anything for you, if it delays you from getting released that just means you are still getting paid so although it might sound like a threat it's not
    via DonutAdmirable9831
  • Spiritual_Ad6547 They want you to resign so they can avoid paying a severance, and so you can't collect unemployment. Do not resign, and never sign anything. Consult an attorney to see if you have a claim. Do your job for the next 9 days. Forward all your files and emails to your personal email as backup.
    via Spiritual_Ad6547
  • Most Most_5202 Do not sign that! You are not voluntarily resigning! Just continue working until you receive a pink slip from them. They are trying to avoid paying more for unemployment benefits insurance by having you sign something that could eliminate your ability to collect unemployment.
    via Most_Most_5202
  • Smokedealers84 Yeah they don't want their unemployment tax to go higher next year, that's highly illegal practice, your manager is a idiot incriminating the company further. Show that to employement office see how they like how this company operate.
    via Smokedealers84
  • TrainingLow9079 Don't sign a resignation letter. Indeed it may prevent you from getting unemployment.
    via TrainingLow9079
  • Distinct Ask3614 Never sign such a letter. It's super shady that they even tried that. If you are a contractor though that may hamper your ability to file for Unemployment.
    via Distinct_Ask3614
  • pixelsguy They're calling you and calling meetings to avoid putting things on record. Keep written notes of unwritten communication, and keep your communication to writing. Read your contract to understand what they're trying to take from you.
    via pixelsguy
  • James_T_S Send it. "I have been informed today that my contract was not being renewed by the company and (date) will be my last day. This is to formally acknowledge that information has been conveyed to me."
    via James_T_S

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