Resignation Notice Letters and Email Examples

By
Alison Doyle
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Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts and has counseled both students and corporations on hiring practices. She has given hundreds of interviews on the topic for outlets including The New York Times, BBC News, and LinkedIn. Alison founded CareerToolBelt.com and has been an expert in the field for more than 20 years.
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Updated on January 21, 2020
This illustration shows how to send a resignation email to your boss when you're ready to leave your job.

Image by Theresa Chiechi © The Balance

What is resignation notice? How much notice are you required to give when you leave a job? Providing resignation notice is the act of informing your employer that you are going to leave your job. How much notice you will need to give depends on the circumstances.

What to Include in a Resignation Notice

Your resignation notice, whether verbal or in writing, should include the date for your last day of work and a polite thank you for any and all opportunities you have had working for the company. When you resign, you do not have to reveal your future plans, although you can share details if you'd like. If you’re not leaving on good terms, you can simply provide notification of the last day you’ll work.

Even if you give your notice to your supervisor in person, it's a good idea to provide a written resignation letter for your employee file and to confirm the date of your departure. Having the details in writing will prevent any misunderstandings. The letter could also be helpful if you ask your employer to be a reference or if future employers need your employment dates at the company. 

Find out more about how much notice to give and review sample resignation notice letters to learn what to include in your own letter below. 

How Much Notice to Give When You Resign

Giving two weeks' notice is the standard practice when resigning from a job. This amount of time allows you to tie up loose ends and allows your manager time to recruit for your position.

There are circumstances where you might find that you must quit your job without notice. Perhaps a family emergency requires you to care for a family member full-time. Maybe you have found a new employer who is insisting that you begin working for them immediately. Or, perhaps your current workplace has become hazardous to your physical, mental, or emotional health. Here is a list of some of the reasons you could quit without notice.

An employee has no legal obligation to provide notice unless he or she is covered by an employment contract or labor agreement that specifies how much resignation notice must be given.

However, if you are willing to assist in the transition (doing things like training your successor, finishing up uncompleted projects, or writing an outline of your daily work responsibilities and/or unfinished project statuses), this will help ensure that you leave your job on a good footing with your employer and colleagues.

Having a transition period makes it easier for both your employer and the other people in your department.

Resignation Notice Template

You can use this resignation notice sample as a model. Download the template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or read the text version below.

resignation notice letter sample
©TheBalance 2018 

Resignation Notice Example (Text Version)

Your Name 
Your Address 
Your City, State Zip Code 
Your Phone Number 
Your Email

Date

Contact Name 
Job Title 
Company Name 
Address 
City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Lastname:

I am writing to announce my resignation from Truly and White, effective two weeks from today. I will always cherish my time here, and I’ve enjoyed working with you and the entire management team. However, this past week I was offered an opportunity to accept the job of my dreams.

Thank you for the opportunities you gave me at Truly and White. I learned so much while I was here, and I hope I have provided value to the company as well. I will be happy to assist with training a replacement and do anything else you might need to ensure a seamless transition.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Typed Name

Sending an Email Resignation Message

If you are sending an email resignation letter, list your contact information in your signature rather than at the top of the letter.

List your name and the fact that you're moving on in the subject line of the message. You may want to copy the human resources department on the message.

More Resignation Notice Letter Samples

The following are sample resignation notice letters you can use to write and format your own resignation notice letter. There are also examples of resignation notice email messages you can use to provide notification of your resignation if circumstances are such that email is the best way to resign.

Keep in mind that these examples are intended as references only – you should tailor your cover letter to reflect your own “voice,” reflect the nature of your relationship with your employer, and speak to the specific details surrounding your resignation.

Resignation Notice Email Messages

Article Sources

  1. SHRM. "Can Employers Require Workers to Give Notice Before They Quit?" Accessed Jan. 21, 2020.

  2. NCSL.org. "At-Will Employment - Overview," Accessed Jan. 21, 2020.