The 10 most creative ways to quit your job

Lord Sewel, caught out in a Sun sting taking cocaine with prostitutes, took his time about quitting his membership of the Lords: it was days before the outcry prompted him to resign.

Most of us, though, are rather less reluctant to move on to pastures new, whether it's because of more money, better opportunities - or a chance to escape a job from hell.

If it's the latter, it's always tempting to tell the company what you really think; and many people do. We look at some of the most dramatic resignations of all time - and suggest how to do it a bit more conventionally.
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The icing on the cake
After four years working for the Border Agency at Stansted Airport, 31-year-old Chris Holmes decided it was time to spend more time with his young son and pursue his dream as a baker. Accordingly, he wrote a letter of resignation - iced on a cake. If his colleagues liked it, he suggested, they could order more from his new business.

The newspaper column
In 2012, London banker Greg Smith decided he'd had enough of working for global investment bank Goldman Sachs - and had his resignation letter published as a leader article in the New York Times. Headlined 'Why I'm Leaving Goldman Sachs', the article described how colleagues routinely referred to clients as 'muppets', and accused senior staff of being 'morally bankrupt'. He's now president of Bloom, a financial services company that aims to help people improve the performance of their retirement accounts.

The body art
Doug Walker's resignation letter was rather shorter: "I quit". But, to deliver it, he climbed on a table in the canteen and danced, unbuttoning his shirt to reveal the message. At the end, he commented, "That bridge has officially been burnt." He now runs the That Guy With The Glasses website.

The video game
Jarrad Farbes enjoyed his job as a game developer at 2K Australia' but decided to quit to work independently. So he created his own version of Super Mario, with an "I Quit!" message appearing loud and clear every time Mario grabbed a mushroom and circulated it round the office. ""You gave me a paycheck, an incredible project and a world-class team to learn from. But my princess is in another castle," he concluded.

The emergency exit
After 20 years in the business, Steven Slater finally had enough of his job as an air steward with Jet Blue after a passenger told him to "F*** off." He commandeered the intercom to deliver a deliver a few choice epithets of his own, before ripping off his tie and grabbing a beer. He then opened the door and activated the emergency exit chute, before sliding down, walking to his Jeep and driving home. He was later given a year's probation for criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

The sales tag
We may never know who, but one disgruntled Bed Bath & Beyond employee apparently handed in his notice via a product information tag. Spotted by a shopper, the tag was attached to an infrared oven.
And alongside the standard blurb - 'digital control panel', 'comes with extender ring kit' etc - were a few extra comments: 'My boss is a p***k', 'I'm quitting today' - and a few even choicer remarks.

The letter in Klingon
North Carolina council officer from Indian Trail, N.C., submitted a resignation letter David Waddell wrote his letter of resignation in the Star Trek language Klingon.

"Teach (the) city (the) constitution
I will return next time to (witness) victory.
Resignation occurs in 2014 the 31st of January.
Perhaps today is a good day (to) resign", the translation read.

But mayor Michael Alvarez didn't get the joke, calling the letter 'an embarrassment', and other Star Trek fans criticised his grammar.

The admission of drugs
Alaskan news reporter Charlo Greene quit on-air after admitting that she was the owner of the Alaska Cannabis Club. After delivering a report on the club, she said: "Now everything you've heard is why I, the actual owner of the Alaska Cannabis Club, will be dedicating all of my energy toward fighting for freedom and fairness, which begins with legalising marijuana here in Alaska. And as for this job, well, not that I have a choice but, f**k it, I quit." And off she walked. She's now considering running for mayor.

The hidden message
Daily Express journalist Stephen Pollard was furious at the 2001 takeover of the paper by Richard Desmond, and delighted to land a new job at the Times. His last column was an innocuous piece about organic farming - or so it seemed. However, the first letter of each sentence spelled out 'F**k you Desmond'. Unfortunately, though, Times management saw the message, and withdrew the job offer .

The pirate
A staffer quitting a consulting job explained that he planned to become a pirate. And, he added: "Please note that I am currently accepting applications for First Officer; if you are at all interested in applying, I will provide a full medical and dental plan, which will offer immediate coverage of all maladies other than scurvy and the occasional bout of rickets".

But if these resignation techniques are a little too dramatic for you, what's the best way to get it right?

First, make sure you've got your new job offer in writing before you burn your bridges, as it's by no means unknown for companies to change their minds. You'll need to negotiate a start date that allows you to give enough notice: if none is specified in your contract, there's a statutory notice period of one week's notice after one month's service.

Keep your resignation letter brief: the only truly essential information is the fact that you're leaving, and when. It's a good idea, though, to thank the company for the opportunities you've had, and wish your colleagues well.

In both your letter, and any exit interview you might have, resist the temptation to complain: you may need a reference, or one day want to work with these people again.

It's a good idea to take the contact details of any colleagues or business contacts that you'd like to stay in touch with, or connect with them on LinkedIn.

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