Health-related issues are among the many reasons employees resign. Therefore, if you find yourself in a position where your health condition impedes your ability to perform your duties at work, it may be time to let your boss know of the situation and resign. This is done through a resignation letter due to health issues. The decision to resign can be initiated by your medical doctor or your realization that continuing with your job does more harm than good to you and the organization. A physical letter for resigning due to health issues is preferred, but it can be sent via email in some cases, especially when the resignation is abrupt.
To further understand how you can go about resigning from your job due to health issues through a letter, this article will address the information you should include and the steps you can follow in the writing process.
A resignation letter due to health issues is a formal document that you write to notify your employer/boss of your intention to leave the position in the organization or company because you cannot fulfil your employment obligations due to health-related issues. The letter is part of a professional resignation process. Once submitted, the letter becomes an official and legal document and goes into the employee’s file. Since health issues may be abrupt, it is acceptable to hand in the letter without advance notice.
Pre-Considerations
The resignation process can sometimes be subject to specific guidelines depending on the company policy and employment contractual terms. Therefore, you should clearly understand what you’re required to do before writing the letter of resignation due to health issues.
In addition, you should consider the following:
Check if you’re eligible for leave benefits or employee’s compensation
Not all health issues qualify you for resignation. It would be best always to ascertain whether your medical condition makes you eligible for resignation and any applicable medical benefits. Depending on your employment contract and the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), you may be eligible for leave instead of resigning and employee benefits such as disability benefits or medical costs for specific medical issues. This consideration is essential, especially if your work is a high-risk occupation. Sometimes if the illness can be traced to the working conditions, you may be eligible for compensation to cover your medical expenses.
Speak with your employer first
Always talk to your supervisor or HR first before resigning. Informing your employer beforehand gives them time to make the necessary plans for your exit. They can also direct you on the necessary steps you can take to ensure you have a smooth exit.
Writing a Resignation Letter
Once you have discussed with your employer and declared your intention, you can hand them your resignation letter due to health issues if you had written one or proceed to create one. The letter should communicate your intention to quit and indicate the reason behind your resignation. The resignation letter due to health issues is your opportunity to leave the organization professionally and politely.
Below is an extensive guide on how you can organize your letter:
Provide a statement of intent
You should start your resignation letter due to health issues with a statement that declares your intent to leave. Since the resignation letter is an official document, you should go directly to the point. The statement declares the letter’s purpose from the get-go so that the recipient knows what to expect as the read on.
The name of your job position
The following information you should supply in the letter is the name/title of the position you held in the organization. Again, it is imperative to let your employer and HR know which position will be vacant so that they can begin the recruitment process.
State the date of your last day on the job
After indicating your job title, you should state the date you plan to vacate your position. Note that when it comes to resignation letters due to health issues, it is often acceptable to resign with immediate effect. However, it would be best to give advance notice before resigning, as it gives your employer some time to find a replacement.
You can do so by setting your last day on the job to be a few days or two weeks after sending the letter. Again, the date should be specific and show the day, month, and year when the resignation will occur. Also, do not be surprised if the employer decides to terminate your employment before your preferred last date.
Reason for leaving
Next, you should give the reason(s) for resigning, which is your health issue in this case. You’re not obliged to go into details about this. You can provide as much personal information as you see fit. A brief and precise disclosure will work equally as a detailed reason.
Thank your employer
After clarifying why you are resigning from your post, you should include an appreciation message for your employer. You can thank them for being a supportive boss and allowing you to work in their organization. You should maintain a formal tone in this section even if you have a personal relationship with your employer.
A highlight of your time there
The resignation letter due to health issues should also mention one or two highlights during your tenure with the company or organization.
Mention your good wishes for the future of the company
You should then conclude the letter for resigning from a position due to health issues by wishing your colleagues and the company well in their endeavours. You can invite your employer to keep in touch personally and professionally. In such a case, you can provide your contact information.
Resignation Letter due to Health Issues
You can use a template to write your resignation letter due to health issues. Templates outline the fundamental details you should provide in your letter. Below is a comprehensive template guide you can use in your writing process.
Template
[Your name]
[Street Address]
[City, state zip code]
[Date of the letter]
[Recipient/Employer name]
[Title]
[Name of company/organization]
[Company address]
[City, state zip code]
Dear Mr or Ms or Mrs [recipient’s last name],
With deep regret, I’m notifying you of my intent to resign. Therefore, I’ll be stepping down from the rank of [your job title] at [company name] effective from [day, month, year].
I recently got diagnosed with [your medical condition] that will affect my ability to perform my duties and responsibilities at [company name]. After much thought and consultations with my physician, I’ve decided that it would be in my best interest to resign from my post to give myself time to recover and receive medical care from home. I would have loved to continue working for you, but my decreased productivity will inconvenience my colleagues at work. I know the level of performance you demand at [company name], and I’m afraid I can no longer meet those expectations with my medical condition.
I take this great opportunity to thank you for giving me a chance to work in your organization to further polish my career. I’ve gained invaluable experience working for you and interacting with colleagues and clients. When I first joined, I remember the vital role in training me and guiding me to become the [job title] I am today.
I wish [company name] all the best in the future. I look forward to any future interactions on a professional or personal level. My contact details are [phone number] or [email address].
Best regards [or any other complimentary close],
[Signature]
Sample 01
Lesley Miles
111 Richmond Road
Fayetteville, NC 8310
February 5, 20xx
Sean Hill,
Managing Director
R&G Holdings Ltd
002 Industrial Street
Jacksonville, NC 8310
Dear Mr. Hill,
I genuinely regret to inform you of my resignation from the accountant position at R&G Holdings Ltd. This letter should be an official notice of my resignation on February 6, 20xx.
I, unfortunately, have to step down from my position due to medical complications. I’ve been unwell for the past few months, as previously communicated. Recent examinations have determined that I am no longer supposed to carry out challenging activities and be active for long hours, thus compromising my efficiency at work. Therefore, I hereby want to step aside from my post to make room for a person more capable of filling the accountant position at R&G Holdings Ltd. I intend to undertake my recovery at home with my family and under the supervision of my physician.
I highly appreciate your consideration and support throughout my illness during this period. I also want to thank you for allowing me to work at your company. It has been a stormy journey filled with both positives and negatives but worthwhile. I remember joining R&G Holdings Ltd as an intern, and you held my hand and guided me to become a competent and confident accountant. I’m eternally grateful.
I wish you, my colleagues, and the entire R&G Holdings community all the best as they continue serving your clients and being a change in our society.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
Sample 02
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email
Date
Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr. /Ms. Last name:
It is with profound sadness that I have had to draft this letter of resignation that takes effect three weeks from now. I shall no longer serve as XXX with your company.I got diagnosed with Stage II Colorectal Cancer. My doctor advised that I take some rest as disease is quite daunting to tackle. Apart from the doctor’s advice, I have also noted a steep deterioration in my own health and physical strength.
Of late, I have been unable to run up and down and perform my day to day chores as smoothly as I have always been. That, too, necessitated my decision to step down from active duty till my conditions improve.
I must admit that I have really enjoyed my stay here. The warm ambiance, charming workmates, and the conducive working environments have all etched some indelible marks on the fibbers of my heart. I will really live to reminisce and cherish them in the long run.
As per my employment contract, I am eligible for some form of financial support to cater for my medication. May I now invoke your attention to that fact. Kindly process the support for me on or before I officially step down.
If, by the time I deal with the sickness, you will not have found a substantive replacement, kindly consider re-hiring me. Also, let me know how I may be of help to you in the transition period.
Sincerely,
Your Signature (hard copy letter)
Your Typed Name
Sample [Email Format]
Subject: Resignation—First name Last name
Dear Mr. Manager,
As you know, I have been working for your organization in the capacity of XX for XX years now. How I would wish to keep working for you indefinitely. However, as feat may have it, I have had no option but to step down with effect from next month.
I have been recently diagnosed with the deadly acute subdural hematoma that has taken a toll on me. This was occasioned by an injury I sustained while playing football without a headcover. After several visits to the clinic, my doctor opined that I quit any active employment to allow for complete recovery.
I know that my resignation itself shall inflict some profound inconvenience to your company. That is why I offer myself to aid with the transition period. Just let me know in what ways I may be of help.
In line with the employment act of XXXX, I am entitled to some financial support from my employer to help with medical fees. I yet again ask you to come in and fulfil your part of the bargain.
Many thanks for the opportunity you gave me to work with your company. I hope to get back to the organization after recovering fully from the sickness.
Sincerely,
Firstname Lastname
Writing Tips
To improve the effectiveness of your resignation letter to communicate your intention to quit professionally due to health issues, you can incorporate the writing techniques below.
Follow business letter format
The resignation letter ought to be written in a business letter format. The letter should have a date, header, salutation, body, and a formal closing. You should also sign the letter to authenticate the document and declare that you attest to the information given. By using a business letter format, you are assured that your letter exhibits an acceptable level of professionalism.
Proofread and edit
Since the resignation letter is an official document of the company, it should be free from any grammar, spelling, or typing errors. You should therefore review the letter thoroughly before submitting it.
Organize your facts
When presenting information, you should tie it together into a rational narrative. You can arrange your facts in the order given in this article under “how to write.” Also, you can review other samples of resignation letters due to health issues. A letter without a logical flow of ideas may be challenging to understand and degrades the professionalism of your letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You should write a resignation letter to attest to this fact whenever you resign from any profession due to health issues. While it may not be mandatory in the organization, it is considered the most professional thing. In addition, this helps in maintaining professional relationships, which can be valuable later on in your job search after recovering. Also, records are important in any organization; a resignation becomes part of its record as your official notice of resignation to your employer.
Bottom Line
Resigning from your work can be far from what you want, but deterioration in your health may force you to do so anyway. In such circumstances, it is wise that you communicate this to your employer through a formal resignation letter. The amount of details you include in the letter is all up to you. Some people prefer mentioning the exact medical condition, while others mention they are quitting due to medical issues.
Depending on the medical condition, you can decide to take a leave of absence from work or resign. Minor health issues will often qualify you for medical leave, and you can resume work once you have recovered. However, keep in mind employers will allow you to be absent from work for a limited time. Therefore, it is imperative to discuss with them to determine the most suitable approach to your situation. On the other hand, serious complications will typically necessitate a permanent solution which often means resigning.
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