Hypothetical situation:You're working at a client site. The client is in direct competition with your new employer and the two businesses are having an acrimonious divestment of business between each other as well as your new employer poaching your client's staff. You are sitting in the office and can hear the conversations about the divestment project from "the other side"Clearly a classic case for gardening leave on resignation (I think?) but in terms of when to hand your resignation in, do you wait until you're at home office on a Friday (which might delay things and you might not be there anyway next week) or do you just ping the e-mail over to the partner/HR anyway while you're onsite and risk them getting the client heavies in to escort you offsite and take back their equipment? Or maybe better to do it from the hotel in the evening and then be asked to not come into the office the next day (other than to return client IT kit)?Or does it matter at all?

Friday is only 1 more day away... I would do it by telephone on the Friday. Friday is admin day. Plus it avoids you getting shat on while the partner is thinking about how much there is to do (and dumping a load of rubbish work on you) or marched out of the office in some sort of disgraced manner. Friday, telephone, nice and discreet.

Do it from the hotel with a glass of wine. Once you've copied all your favourite PowerPoint and Excel templates, naturally.

Make sure you get your expenses in first, too.

[quote]Friday is only 1 more day away... I would do it by telephone on the Friday. Friday is admin day. Plus it avoids you getting shat on while the partner is thinking about how much there is to do (and dumping a load of rubbish work on you) or marched out of the office in some sort of disgraced manner. Friday, telephone, nice and discreet.[/quote]Hypothetically one might be on client site on the Friday so maybe fire off a quick mail (policy says mail) on the way out the door and wait for the call coming in over the bluetooth on the way home?

Yeah, ideally pre-arrange for the Friday afternoon to be used as holiday and send the mail at midday. If you send it at 5.40pm you might not get a reply and will spend all weekend panicking. If you can't take it as holiday, then send the mail at around 3.30pm and follow up with a call to HR and, if you can stomach it, the partner on the project. Actually, here's a better idea:- Call HR first (early on Friday afternoon) to let them know- Then send the formal email to both HR and the partner- Then drop by to see the partner to say you wanted to talk to him in person following the email you've just sent, and how you can best help him from this point onwards

I'd do it the opposite way.I'd speak to the Partner. Straight after that call/meeting (regardless of outputs e.g. "please stay, we'll change for you") I would send a follow-up note confirming decision and copy in HR.

No way, tell HR first. That way it's a done deal by the time you speak to the partner - no negotiations, arm-twisting, threats, delays, obfuscation, confusion, forgetting to pass on messages or doubt. You will simply be notifying the partner and arranging your exit from the project, nothing else. This is one of those rare occasions when a HR department actually has a use.

Or curl one out on the partner's desk as per house of lies?

The most professional thing is to talk to your engagement partner, tell him your decision is made and that you will be handing in your resignation following the discussion. Following that, tell him that you are not in a clear conflict of interest and say that whilst this is unfortunate, you are willing to work with him in your transition period from the current client - even if that involves leaving the client site. This will require careful handling with the client and you should give your partner the opportunity to manage this discussion in the way he wants. Most likely it won't be him + the client vs you, it will be you and him vs the prospect of telling the client.It's absolutely crucuial that you leave on good terms - so manage this properly...

what would be the best way to approach the partner? book his time, catch him in the hallway, phone him etc?

I would put time in his/her diary with the subject saying "Personal" or "Confidential" something like that.

what if he isn't the sort to use an electronic diary?

Sneak into his office/PA (you are leaving after all) and just write it in. That works 60% of the time, all of the time.

Sneaking into his PA would be a bonus...

[quote]Sneaking into his PA would be a bonus...[/quote]Not sure the Mrs would approve, despite how desperate she is for me to leave!Might have to be a weekend phone call if the timings go as (hypothetically) expected to confirm he doesn't want me rocking up to client site on the Monday...Then can leave the client's gear locked in a drawer there and they can break in at their leisure...

Or make a video to announce your departure instead...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJSiZhPSKPQ#t=22