Notice period

Week 1 in a nutshell:

I had been working for over 17 years now. I completed my graduation and immediately I started applying for jobs. A month after the graduation, I was employed. Ever since, I have worked. Non stop. No break. No gap. Just endless work.

I resigned in December 2026, after 17 years of hard core labour. I decided to end the corporate job and find another way. I had not yet decided what was the next step, but for sure it is not another corporate job.

After 17 years of sweat and tears, I am now experiencing a burnout. I cannot work for 15+ hours a day. I cannot work on weekends and holidays anymore. I don't want to give up on my personal time for extra credits towards the next potential big thing. What is questionable is whether there is an extra credit or a next big thing. It could only be donkey work and nothing else. More importantly, I don't want to destroy my health for the sake of unattainable expectations.

After resigning, I felt relieved in a way I never felt before. I felt that significant weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I am no longer worried about appraisal, promotion, escalation, or any other corporate weight.

There is still a long way to go. There will be some battles and I am ready for them. I am ready to fight for my peace as I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.

Week 2 in a nutshell

Second week marked the completion of my second week of the notice period. While I have not been assigned with any new responsibilities, my existing responsibilities continued.

A new person was appointed to replace me. This person is more experienced and qualified than me. I provided him with an orientation.

I informed my close friend about my decision and she supported me. We talked about how the younger generations are incompatible with us.

An HR representative met me and enquired about my reason for resignation. I provided the history of my health issue. She tried to guilt trip me into believing that I should have informed about it before being selected to this project. I responded that this was a long standing health issue. Recent episode occurred after joining this project which prompted me to make this decision.

Rest other days were when I saw less people because of new year celebrations. Then came the weekend.

I have been informed that I may receive an early release (meaning I do not have to serve the entire notice period ). I am still awaiting a date which I may get to know in the upcoming week.

Week 3 in a nutshell:

We entered the 3rd week of my notice period. I am still waiting to hear from the management and HR abput my last working day, though an early release is planned. I believe I will be released only by the end of this month. Most activities have already been transferred or reversed.

This week I killed time in the office with not much to do. I was really looking forwards to the breaks (lunch and coffee). One of my colleagues was off work due to a family emergency. I spent time with the other colleague. We chatted about a lot of relevant and irrelevant topics. She shared an incident with me when she had lost temper and management did not intervene. I agreed that the management here does not want to get their hands dirty. They do not participate in conflict resolution.

The project had arranged a high tea for the staff. They had arranged it on a day when most staff members were fasting (I believe it was intentional). My supervisor taunted that I don't eat and hence I have health issues. I made a mental note of it and I will see how I can pay it back.

I interacted a lot with the person who will replace me. He has been with the organization for a very long time. He seemed nice. Additionally, he knew a lot about the "situation" at the organization. After interacting with him, I am glad that I have resigned.

Family day was arranged when I got to meet relatives of my colleagues. It was a bit refreshing.

Let's see what the next week has to offer.

Week 4 and the last week:

Week 4 of my notice period was surprising. Because apparently it was my last working week of the notice period.

Usually in my organisation the notice period is of 90 calendar days. If the last day falls on a weekend or holiday it is pushed back. In my scenario when I had a resigned from my company I was not on production. As per the company policy if the employee is not on the production they can be released early. This held true for me.

The week started just like any other working week. On Wednesday the HR called me and told me about certain documents that would be required. During this time HR did gingerly inform me that probably this will be my last working week. However it was not concretely told to me that it will be the last working week. Additionally I was not also informed about my last working day especially which date it is.

On Thursday I received a call from the HR informing that it is my last working day. I was informed to meet a person who is incharge of completing the offboarding formalities. When I went to meet that person the formalities got completed within 1 hour. That person inform me to submit my laptop and submit my identity card. After submission of my laptop and my identity card it was the end of day for me. I return home at 1 O'clock instead of 6:00 p.m. It was a shocking day for me because when I left my home I had no idea that it could have been my last working day. My colleagues were also not expecting that a meet the HR and not return.

As I had the laptop bag which was given by my organisation at home I took it to the office the next day. I handed it over to the HR and a stem to submit to the respective personnel. I met a few of my colleagues on Friday and inform them about my exit. They were surprised as well because I had not even inform them that I have resigned. I met few of my old colleagues who were no longer working with me. We had a nice chat and dinner.

This was it the end of my corporate journey. I have decided that I no longer want to work with a corporate organisation. I also do not want to work full time now. I want to give quality time to myself and my family. Work is now becoming secondary to me. Heres to the exit of my corporate career.