Resignation letter template

Four resignation letter examples

Each one is complete. Copy it, or open it in the builder above and change the details.

Resignation email

An email is a written record too. Acas says you do not have to resign in writing, but a letter or email you can point to later helps avoid disputes about your notice. Put “Resignation” and your name in the subject line, and attach a letter only if your employer asks for one.

What to put in a resignation letter

Acas, the free employment advice service, says to tell your employer three things:

• that you are resigning
• how much notice you are giving
• the date you want to be your last day at work

Write to your manager or HR department unless you have been told to write to someone else, and follow any resignation process in your contract. A reason, a thank-you and an offer to hand over your work are your choice; they keep the goodbye on good terms and help with a reference later. If you want a record that your employer has your resignation, ask them to confirm it in writing or send the letter by recorded delivery (Acas: How to resign, checked 14 October 2026).

How much notice to give, and your last day

Your written statement of employment particulars must say how much notice you have to give, and your contract may say it too. If you have worked somewhere for less than a month, you do not have to give notice unless your written statement says so. After a month, the legal minimum is one week, even if you have no written statement. These rules are for employees: agency workers, casual workers and people on zero-hours contracts are not likely to be employees (Acas: Notice when resigning).

Unless your contract says when notice starts, it starts the day after you tell your employer (Acas: When the notice period starts). That is how the builder counts:

• one week’s notice handed in on Monday 12 October 2026 ends on Monday 19 October
• four weeks’ notice handed in on Friday 16 October 2026 ends on Friday 13 November
• one month’s notice handed in on 30 October 2026 ends on 30 November; a month from 31 January ends on the last day of February

You can ask to leave before your notice ends, but your employer does not have to agree. Get any agreement in writing; if you leave early, you are usually paid only for the days you work. Your employer may instead pay you for your notice and end your job straight away (payment in lieu of notice), or tell you not to work your notice while still paying you as usual (garden leave) (Acas: When an employee does not have to work notice).

If you are resigning because you believe your employer has seriously broken your contract, talk to Acas before you send anything. You might have a claim for constructive dismissal, and it can change how much notice you need to give (Acas: Notice when resigning, checked 16 October 2026).

After you hand it in

Your final pay may not match a normal payslip, for example if you leave part-way through a pay period, because of how much holiday you have taken, or because money is deducted for a training course. Check your contract for anything that applies to your final pay. If you resign without another job to go to, it could affect benefits you can claim (Acas: Resignation). To ask in your letter, tick “Ask about holiday and final pay” in the builder.

If you change your mind, tell your employer straight away. They do not have to let you withdraw your resignation, but they should consider it seriously, especially if you changed your mind quickly (Acas).

Before you go, ask a manager or colleague who knows your work whether they will be a referee, and ask by email so they have your details. If an employer asks for a character reference, someone who knows you outside work writes it. Then add this job to your CV while the details are fresh.