The woman who lodged a complaint against QBE chief executive Pat Regan, triggering the sudden departure of the global insurer's boss, has contracted lawyers who are engaged in discussions with the company over the terms of her resignation.

The US-based female employee, who was a mid-level manager at QBE, resigned at the time of raising the complaint with the company between Thursday and Friday, 20-21 August. The complaint was taken by the company's head of human resources in QBE's North American division to chairman Mike Wilkins.