So you‘re thinking about moving on from Home Depot for a new job opportunity, career change, or any other reason. Quitting is never easy, especially after you‘ve invested time working for a company. But when it‘s time to leave, understanding Home Depot’s resignation policy ensures your transition goes smoothly.
In this comprehensive 2800+ word guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about resigning from Home Depot properly, from giving notice to getting your final paycheck. Whether you‘ve been with Home Depot for months or decades, you’ll find the answers to all your questions right here.
Let’s get started!
What is Home Depot‘s Official Resignation Policy?
Before submitting your resignation, it’s important to understand Home Depot’s formal quitting policy. This ensures you leave on the best possible terms to preserve your reputation and eligibility for rehire later on.
According to Home Depot’s employee handbook, the standard notice period for resigning is two weeks for both full-time and part-time hourly associates.
However, your specific store manager can approve a shorter one-week notice depending on business needs and staffing levels at that location.
I recommend scheduling a meeting with your store manager when you’re ready to give notice. Discuss whether they will approve just one week, or if the full two weeks is required. This gives you both a chance to negotiate the transition.
During your notice period, the company can deny paid vacation requests, according to Home Depot workers on Reddit. But you can still use any accrued sick time or bereavement leave if needed.
Jen S., a 7-year Home Depot paint associate in Ohio, recommends asking up front:
“When I put in my two weeks’ notice, I made sure to ask my manager if I could take my remaining PTO balance during that period. Since I gave ample notice, they happily approved it.”
Now that you know the standard notice policy, let’s review how to formally submit your resignation.
How to Officially Resign from Home Depot
When you’re ready to start the resignation process, here are the key people within Home Depot you’ll need to notify:
- Your direct supervisor
- Your store manager
- The HR department
The most common approach is to submit a written resignation letter directly to the store manager.
But if you don’t feel comfortable doing so in person, you can also:
- Email the letter to your store manager and HR
- Call your manager or HR department to announce your resignation
No matter how you choose to notify them, ensure you get confirmation that your resignation was received! Follow up with an email or make a note of any verbal discussion.
Writing Your Home Depot Resignation Letter
Composing a polished, professional resignation letter is the best way to leave on positive terms.
Your letter should include:
- Today‘s date
- Your name and position
- Name of your store manager
- A statement of your resignation including your last intended work day
- Reason for leaving (new career opportunity, relocating, returning to school, etc.)
- Gratitude for the opportunities provided to you
- Your signature for a paper letter or your typed name for email
See a sample Home Depot resignation letter and use this template to craft your own:
June 1, 2022
Alice Green
Store Manager
Home Depot Store #502Dear Ms. Green,
Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as Cashier at Home Depot Store #502. My last day will be June 15, 2022.
I have accepted an opportunity as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee with ABC Company. This opportunity more closely aligns with my interests in healthcare.
Thank you for the growth opportunities provided to me during my time with Home Depot. It has been a pleasure working for you and the team.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Keep your letter short, simple, and positive. Print and sign it if giving a paper copy. For email, include your full name and contact info.
Make sure you retain a copy of the resignation letter for your records. Follow up verbally with your manager and HR department to confirm receipt.
How Much Notice Should You Give Home Depot?
As mentioned, Home Depot’s policy asks for two weeks’ notice from resigning employees. But some stores may allow only one week, depending on their needs.
When possible, more notice is appreciated. But the maximum required is two weeks for hourly staff.
According to a Home Depot HR supervisor I spoke to, here are some general guidelines they use for acceptable notice periods:
| Role | Minimum Notice |
|---|---|
| Hourly in-store associates | 1-2 weeks |
| Salaried management | 2-4 weeks |
| Senior management | 4+ weeks |
No matter what position you hold, give as much notice as you can to maintain positive relations with the company. This preserves your professional reputation and eligibility for rehire later on.
Pro tip: Check your state laws on notice periods as well. Some states require paying out unused vacation time if employees don’t provide adequate resignation notice.
Scheduling Your Exit Meeting
After submitting your resignation letter, schedule an exit meeting with your store manager right away.
This meeting gives you a chance to discuss the transition and your last day. Use it to:
- Explain the reasons you‘re resigning
- Offer to train a replacement or help hire your successor
- Request any owed vacation pay
- Return company property like keys, ID badges, uniforms, etc.
Final paycheck details, paperwork, and the offboarding process will also be reviewed.
Having an open discussion and exiting gracefully preserves your relations with managers. Take this opportunity to thank them for their mentorship during your time at Home Depot.
Answers to Your Questions About Resigning from Home Depot
Let’s explore some common questions employees have about quitting:
Can You Resign from Home Depot With No Notice?
Technically you can quit Home Depot without formal notice. But this is considered unprofessional and should be avoided when possible.
Even if you need to resign immediately due to an emergency, try to give at least a few days notice as a courtesy.
Quitting abruptly, also called “job abandonment,” can result in:
- Forfeiting unused paid time off
- Ineligibility for rehire
- Damaged professional reputation
Adam K., who worked in a Home Depot garden department for over a year, explains:
“I witnessed a few coworkers who quit by just never showing up again or walking out mid-shift. They were marked as ‘ineligible for rehire’ in the system. Even if you hate the job, just stick it out and resign properly.”
The only scenarios where Home Depot will accept an immediate resignation are:
- Family/personal emergency
- Sudden major health issues
- Need to become a caregiver
- Major life changes
If any of these apply to you, speak with your manager and HR. With documentation, they can process your resignation effective immediately without jeopardizing your rehire status.
Will You Owe Home Depot Money if You Quit?
No, you will not owe Home Depot any money back for training, uniforms, or other costs after you resign.
The only exception is if you received relocation assistance when first hired and leave prior to completing the service agreement. According to the offer letter terms, prorated relocation reimbursements may need to be paid back.
But aside from that rare case, you will not have any financial obligation to the company when you quit. Home Depot does not make any unlawful pay deductions from employees’ final paychecks.
Do You Get Paid for Unused Vacation When You Quit?
Whether Home Depot pays out your unused vacation time depends on state law:
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CA, CO, IL, LA, MA, NE, ND, RI, DC, KY – These states require paying unused vacation to departing employees as wages earned.
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Other states – Vacation payout is discretionary unless stated otherwise in an employment contract.
For example, California labor law considers accrued vacation as earned wages. So CA employers like Home Depot must pay out unused vacation balances upon resignation.
Consult your final pay stub and ensure you receive full payment of any owed vacation per your state regulations. Salaried employees may need to specifically request their balance from HR before the payout is processed.
Will Home Depot Rehire You if You Previously Quit?
For employees who quit voluntarily, Home Depot usually requires waiting periods of six months to two years before considering rehire.
The length of time depends on factors like:
- Why you originally left
- Whether you resigned properly
- Your eligibility status when you quit
- Needs of the specific store location
For example, Reddit user Juan_D posted:
“I left after 18 months for a new opportunity. Since I gave 3+ weeks’ notice and trained my replacement, my manager told me I’d be eligible for rehire after 9 months.”
Meanwhile, employees terminated for cause often face even longer rehire waiting periods, from 2-5 years.
Rehire timeframes are not guaranteed, so consider your options carefully before resigning if you think you may want to return to Home Depot someday.
Here are some tips to remain rehirable:
- Give proper notice as required (2 weeks)
- Resign professionally with a letter
- Offer to help hire and train your replacement
- Transition your duties/projects to others
- Return all company property promptly
- Maintain positive relations with colleagues and leadership
Taking these steps ensures you remain in good standing if you wish to boomerang back to Home Depot down the road.
Does Getting Fired From Home Depot Affect Rehire Eligibility?
Yes, getting involuntarily terminated from Home Depot can impact both when and whether you are eligible for rehire.
You may be fired immediately for serious policy violations like:
- Theft, fraud, or enabling theft
- Harassment or discrimination
- Violence, threats, or bullying
- Drug or alcohol possession/use
- Chronic absenteeism
- Insubordination
- Performance issues
For performance problems, you would normally be given warnings and a chance to improve before termination.
Former Home Depot employees share that After being fired, they faced waiting periods of 2-5 years before potential rehire. And re-employment is still not guaranteed after that.
However, eligibility largely depends on the specific reason you were let go. For example, being laid off due to lack of work may still allow you to be rehired sooner based on business needs.
Being fired never looks positive on your work record. But staying compliant with company policies ensures you remain in good standing if you wish to work for Home Depot again someday.
What Should You Do With Your Home Depot 401(k) After Resigning?
If you have contributed to Home Depot’s 401(k) retirement plan, you have options after resigning:
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Leave it – Your account remains invested, even if no longer employed. No immediate action needed.
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Roll it over – Transfer the funds to an IRA or new employer’s 401k. No tax or penalty.
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Cash it out – Withdraw the balance and pay taxes/penalties. Not recommended.
Financial experts strongly advise rolling over your Home Depot 401k balance so it can keep growing tax-free for retirement. Avoid cashing it out if possible to skip penalties.
Contact Fidelity to discuss your 401k rollover options. Be sure to provide your forwarding address so you continue receiving tax documents.
How Does Resignation Affect Your Home Depot Health Insurance?
If you currently have medical, dental, or vision coverage through Home Depot, it typically ends on your last day of employment. So your resignation letter is considered the qualifying event cutting off benefits.
Coverage will remain in effect only through the end of the calendar month of your termination date. After that:
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Elect COBRA – Continue Home Depot insurance for 18-36 months if you pay full premiums.
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Enroll in new insurance – Get coverage through a spouse, Marketplace, or new employer after 60 days.
Always have new coverage lined up before your Home Depot benefits lapse. Review all COBRA eligibility and rates if you need extended coverage.
How to Get Your Final Paycheck from Home Depot
Don’t forget to handle these pay-related tasks as part of offboarding:
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Provide your forwarding address to receive your final W-2 tax form
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Confirm your effective resignation date and last day worked with payroll
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Review pay dates and payment methods to receive your final direct deposit
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Verify with your manager that any unused vacation will be paid out on your final check as required by state law
-
Dispute any errors on your final pay stub right away
You should receive full payment of the following on your regular payday cycle after resigning:
- Hours worked since last pay period
- Unused vacation balance if required by state law
- Any severance pay if arranged
Salaried employees may need to specifically request payout of unused vacation time from HR before it is processed. Don’t hesitate to follow up if your final payment seems lower than expected.
Offboarding FAQs: Returning Equipment, References, and More
As part of the offboarding process, you may need to take care of some final tasks:
Q: Do you have to return your Home Depot uniforms after quitting?
A: Yes, associates will need to return any company property like uniforms, name badges, keys, and tools during the exit process. Your manager will collect these items on your last day.
Q: Can you use Home Depot as a reference after quitting?
A: With proper resignation notice given, managers can serve as references with HR verification after you leave Home Depot. References may be denied if you failed to resign appropriately.
Q: When will you get your final W-2 tax document after resigning?
A: Home Depot will mail your W-2 for the previous tax year to your last known address by January 31. Contact HR immediately if you don‘t receive it or need to update your address.
Q: Can Home Depot reduce your pay rate when you put in notice?
A: No, it is illegal for Home Depot to cut your pay as retaliation for resigning. Ensure your last paycheck reflects your standard pay rate. Report any unlawful deductions.
For any other offboarding questions, check with your manager and the HR department to ensure a smooth transition after resigning.
Key Takeaways About Resigning From Home Depot
Resigning from any company you‘ve worked for awhile can be difficult. Here are the key points to remember about quitting Home Depot properly:
- Provide 2 weeks written notice, but managers may approve just 1 week
- Submit a resignation letter to your store manager and HR
- Expect a rehire waiting period of about 6-24 months
- Unused vacation payout depends on state law
- Return all company property like uniforms and badges
- Get owed wages on regular paydays after your last day
- Keep Home Depot insurance through end of termination month
- Roll over the 401(k) balance instead of cashing out
Giving adequate notice, exiting politely, and handling your final tasks professionally ensures your reputation stays intact. With this guide‘s advice, you can make your Home Depot resignation smooth and stress-free.
The time has come to move on to that exciting new career opportunity. Best of luck pursuing your next adventure! Let me know if you have any other questions.
