Two Weeks' Notice Letter: 5 Templates to Copy (2026)
Five resignation letter templates for every situation: standard, immediate, email, and extended notice. UK notice period guidance included.
A resignation letter should be brief, professional, and leave no room for ambiguity. State your intention to resign, give your last working day, and thank your employer. The five templates below cover every common situation — copy the one that matches yours, personalise the highlighted fields, and send it. The rest of this guide explains UK notice periods, what to include, and what to leave out.
UK Notice Periods: What You Are Actually Required to Give
In the UK, your notice period is set by your employment contract — not by convention. "Two weeks" is a US standard. Typical UK notice periods are:
| Role level | Typical contractual notice | Statutory minimum (if no contract) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level / junior | 1 month | 1 week (after 1 month of employment) |
| Mid-level | 1–3 months | 1 week per year of service (up to 12 weeks) |
| Senior / management | 3–6 months | 1 week per year of service |
| Director / executive | 6–12 months | 1 week per year of service |
Check your contract before resigning. Your resignation letter should state your last working day based on your contractual notice period. If your contract says one month, give one month. Your employer can waive your notice period or place you on garden leave, but they must pay you for the notice period either way.
What to Include and What to Leave Out
Keep it short. A resignation letter does not need to explain your reasons, list grievances, or summarise your career. State that you are resigning, give your last working day, offer to help with the handover, and thank your employer. Then stop.
| Include | Leave out |
|---|---|
| Your formal intention to resign | The reason you are leaving (not legally required) |
| Your job title and company name | Details of your new employer or new salary |
| Your last working day (based on contract) | Criticism of colleagues, managers, or the company |
| A brief, genuine expression of thanks | Complaints or grievances (raise through HR separately) |
| An offer to assist with handover | Anything you would not want read in a tribunal |
Resignation Letter Templates
Template 1: Standard resignation letter (most common situation)
Use this when you are leaving on good terms for another opportunity and want to maintain a professional relationship.
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] [Manager's Name] [Job Title] [Company Name] [Company Address] Dear [Manager's Name], I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name]. My last day of work will be [Date — based on your contractual notice period]. I have genuinely valued my time at [Company Name] and am grateful for the opportunities I have had to [brief specific reference — e.g., develop my skills in X, work with the team on Y]. It has been a pleasure working with you and the team. I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth handover during my notice period and am happy to help with training or documentation as needed. Thank you again for everything. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]
Template 2: Resignation by email
Use this when your workplace communicates primarily by email, your manager is remote, or you are submitting your resignation digitally before a follow-up conversation.
Subject: Resignation — [Your Name] Dear [Manager's Name], I am writing to formally resign from my role as [Job Title] at [Company Name], effective [Date — your contractual notice period from today]. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the team and have learned a great deal during my time here. I would like to ensure as smooth a transition as possible and am happy to discuss handover arrangements at your convenience. Please let me know if you need anything from me in writing, or if HR requires any additional documentation. Thank you, [Your Name] [Phone number]
Template 3: Immediate resignation
Use this when you need to leave immediately due to health, family circumstances, or if your employer has materially breached your contract. Note: resigning without working your notice may breach your contract unless your employer agrees to waive it or pay in lieu. If you are resigning due to employer breach, seek employment law advice before sending.
[Your Name] [Date] Dear [Manager's Name], I am writing to formally notify you of my immediate resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name], effective today, [Date]. [Choose one:] Option A — personal circumstances: Due to personal circumstances, I am unfortunately unable to continue in my role or work my notice period. I apologise for any inconvenience and am happy to provide handover information remotely. Option B — employer breach: I am resigning with immediate effect due to the circumstances set out in my previous correspondence, which I consider to constitute a fundamental breach of my employment contract. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]
Template 4: Extended notice offer (senior or specialist roles)
Use this when your role is difficult to backfill, you are leading a critical project, or you want to preserve a strong professional relationship by offering more than your minimum notice.
[Your Name] [Date] Dear [Manager's Name], I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name]. My contractual notice period is [X months], which would make my last day [Date]. However, given the current status of [specific project], I would be willing to extend this to [Date] if that would be helpful to the team, subject to agreement from my incoming employer. I have found my time at [Company Name] genuinely rewarding, particularly [specific example]. I am committed to making the handover as thorough as possible. Please let me know how you would like to proceed. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]
Template 5: Resignation under difficult circumstances
Use this when you are leaving due to a difficult working environment, conflict with management, or after a performance improvement plan. The goal is to leave professionally without providing material for a grievance or reference issue. Keep this letter short — say nothing you would not want read in an employment tribunal.
[Your Name] [Date] Dear [Manager's Name], I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name], with my last working day being [Date] in accordance with my contractual notice period. I wish the company well going forward. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]
How to Submit Your Resignation
The order of events matters. Follow this sequence to handle your resignation cleanly:
- Tell your manager first. Speak to your manager in person or by video call before submitting anything in writing. Finding out via a letter or email — or from a colleague — is considered disrespectful and can sour an otherwise smooth exit.
- Submit the written letter immediately after. Have it ready so you can hand it over or email it straight after the conversation. This creates a paper trail and starts your official notice period.
- Follow your company's HR process. Many organisations require a formal submission to HR as well as your line manager. Ask your manager or check the employee handbook.
- Confirm your last working day in writing. Make sure your employer acknowledges the date by email or letter — this protects you if there is a dispute later.
- Begin your handover. Agree priorities for your final weeks, document your processes, and brief your replacement where possible.
How to Handle Common Awkward Situations
What if my manager asks me to leave immediately?
This is called garden leave. Your employer can ask you not to come in, but in most cases they must still pay you for your full notice period. Check your contract for garden leave clauses.
What if I am asked to stay longer than my notice period?
You can agree to extend as a goodwill gesture, but you are not obligated to if your contract specifies a shorter period. It is reasonable to say: "I can stay until [date], but I do need to start my new role by [start date]."
What if I am counter-offered?
Take time to think clearly. Research consistently shows the majority of people who accept counter-offers still leave within 12 months — the underlying reasons rarely change. If you decline, "I appreciate the offer, but I have made my decision" is enough. Understanding how to negotiate your salary at the new role is a better use of your energy.
What if I have not yet signed a contract at my new job?
Do not resign until your new offer is confirmed in writing and you have signed it. Verbal offers fall through — protect yourself.
After You Resign: Update Your CV While It's Fresh
The period immediately after resigning is the best time to update your CV — your accomplishments are fresh and you know exactly what you delivered. resum8 can tailor it to the roles you are targeting: paste in a job description and it flags which skills and keywords are present and which you have missed.
See the guides to your skills section, action verbs for your CV, and the best CV format. Once your CV is updated, the guide on common job interview questions will help you prepare for what comes next.
Update Your CV Before Your Next Search
Paste your CV and a job description into resum8. It will show you exactly which skills and keywords are missing — and tailor your CV to the role in minutes.
Try resum8 Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to give two weeks' notice in the UK?
No — in the UK, your notice period is set by your employment contract, not a universal two-week rule. Most UK employees are required to give one month's notice minimum; senior roles typically require three to six months. If you have been employed for less than one month with no written contract, the statutory minimum is one week. Always check your contract before resigning.
Does a resignation letter have to be formal or on paper?
No — an email is acceptable in most workplaces. The letter should be professional, clear, and state your last working day. You should always confirm a resignation in writing of some kind (letter or email) to create a clear record of the date you gave notice and your agreed last working day, which protects you if there is any dispute about your notice period or final pay.
Can you resign by text or verbally in the UK?
Technically yes — a verbal or text resignation is legally valid in the UK. However, always confirm in writing afterwards. This creates a clear record of your notice start date and last working day, and protects you if there is any disagreement about your notice period or final salary.
What if your employer asks you to leave immediately after you resign?
Your employer can ask you to leave immediately (paid garden leave) or pay you in lieu of your notice period — but they must pay you for your full contractual notice period either way. They cannot make you forfeit notice pay by sending you home early. If you are sent home without pay during your notice period, that may be a breach of contract.
Do you have to give a reason for resigning?
No. You are not legally required to give a reason for resigning in the UK. Your resignation letter can simply state your resignation and your last working day. You may be asked your reason in an exit interview — you are free to be honest or brief as you choose, but if you have formal grievances, raise them through HR rather than in your resignation letter.