Never sign “voluntary resignation for personal reasons”; doing so forfeits your entitlements
Original: eternity4719 · source details
Original author: eternity4719 · Chinese source: · English adaptation: parveen0029. Translation and grade notes ↗
Bibliographic titles are retained in their original language.
Source author's views and grades; not individually verified by this site.
The source headline alone does not determine severance or unemployment entitlement. Check actual termination facts, insurance eligibility and local mainland Chinese requirements.
Cost and benefit at a glance
- Check the cost Cost ↓
- No monetary cost. The difficulty lies in resisting the pressure to sign on the spot.
- Then the source benefit Benefit ↓
- The Labor Contract Law specifies exactly which circumstances qualify workers for severance pay. Voluntary resignation doesn’t meet these criteria, unless the employer has committed…
In plain terms
Signing a statement that you’re resigning voluntarily for personal reasons typically means you lose both severance pay and eligibility for unemployment benefits. Voluntary resignation isn’t covered under the circumstances that entitle workers to compensation, except in cases where the employer fails to pay wages or neglects social insurance contributions. There’s no need to sign immediately — take a night to think it over.
This guide's cartoon · show illustration
Enlarge illustrationOriginal illustration with Chinese lettering; the English dialogue is below. Humour is a reading aid, not evidence.
English dialogue
- Just a formality.
- Let me finish reading the plot.
Cost: what it takes
No monetary cost. The difficulty lies in resisting the pressure to sign on the spot.
Benefit: what the source reports
The Labor Contract Law specifies exactly which circumstances qualify workers for severance pay. Voluntary resignation doesn’t meet these criteria, unless the employer has committed statutory violations such as wage arrears or non-payment of social insurance. Signing a voluntary resignation form usually results in forfeiting both severance pay and unemployment benefits.
Conditions, limits and disagreements
Employers often claim, “Sign this first to start the process; we’ll arrange compensation separately.” Make sure such promises are written into the agreement before signing; otherwise, refuse to sign. Failing to sign on the same day carries no legal consequences — take time to decide calmly.
Original references
Original bibliographic titles and links are preserved; some titles are in Chinese.
全国人大常委会 (2007). 中华人民共和国劳动合同法（2008 年 1 月 1 日施行）（第三十八条、第四十六条）. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2007/content_711013.htm
Medical, legal, financial and policy conditions vary by person, place and time. Policy material primarily concerns mainland China; check the cited document and current local requirements.