Which resignation letter template should I use?

Use the standard template for your full notice, the two weeks notice letter for a US job with nothing longer written down, the email version if your employer accepts email, and the short notice or immediate template only if you cannot work your notice. Seven more cover retirement, relocation, career change, health, teaching, nursing and part-time jobs.

What should a resignation letter include?

The date, your manager's name, a sentence saying you are resigning from your job title at your employer, your notice period and last working day, and your name. ACAS's template adds two optional lines: a question about accrued holiday and pay, and thanks with an offer to help before you leave. A reason is optional.

How much notice do I need to give when I resign?

Whatever your contract, award or agreement says, and never less than the legal minimum where you work. In England, Scotland and Wales that is at least one week after one month in the job, says ACAS. A UAE private-sector contract sets 30 to 90 days. The US Labor Department's pages set no federal notice period for employees who resign.

Is a two weeks notice letter required by law?

Not under US federal law, going by the Department of Labor: its FLSA answers say the Act has no requirement for notice before termination or lay-off, and its pages set no notice period for an employee who resigns, so two weeks is a custom. A contract, offer letter, handbook, union agreement or state law can still require notice.

Can I write a resignation letter effective immediately?

You can, but check the cost first. In the UK, ACAS says leaving without enough notice and without agreement is likely to breach your contract. Most Australian awards let an employer deduct up to one week's wages. In the UAE, the side that skips notice owes an allowance. Asking for an earlier last day is usually safer.

What should the subject line of a resignation email be?

Say what it is and who it is from, without the reason: "Resignation, [Your name], last day [date]" works well because HR can file it by date. "Notice of resignation, [Your name]" and "Letter of resignation attached, [Your name]" also work. Ask for a reply confirming your last day and keep the sent copy.

Do I have to give a reason in my resignation letter?

Usually not. ACAS's resignation template has no line for a reason. One sentence such as "for health reasons" or "I am moving to Leeds" is enough if you want to give one. If you resign because you believe your employer seriously breached your contract, ACAS says to explain your reasons clearly.

Can my employer refuse to accept my resignation?

In Australia, Fair Work's library says an employer cannot reject an employee's resignation. In the UK, ACAS's guidance is about notice rather than acceptance, and it notes the reverse case: if you change your mind, your employer does not have to accept the withdrawal, though it should consider it seriously. Check local law elsewhere.

Will I be paid for unused holiday when I resign?

In the UK, yes for statutory holiday: ACAS says employers must pay workers in lieu for untaken statutory holiday they have built up when they leave. In the US, the FLSA does not require pay for time not worked, so it depends on company policy and state law; California, for example, includes accrued vacation in final wages.

Can NOXI write my resignation letter?

Yes. Choose the Letter format and give your name, job title, manager, notice, last day and tone. NOXI writes the letter from those facts, leaves a clear field for a fact it cannot confirm, and exports Word to edit and sign, or PDF. The free plan covers five documents a month, and every change after that is free.

Resignation Letter vs Resignation Email: 12 Templates

Resignation letter template, NOXI guide cover: twelve resignation letters written out in full, from two weeks' notice and the email version to retirement, teacher and nurse letters, with the official notice rules to check

Disclosure: NOXI publishes this guide and is one of the tools it mentions. Every letter below works in any editor, from Word or Google Docs to a plain email, and none of them needs NOXI.

Resignation letter template: the date, your manager's name, one sentence saying you resign from your job title, your notice period and last working day, an optional thank-you and handover offer, and your name. Below are 12 templates written out in full, including two weeks' notice, an email version, retirement, teacher and nurse. Checked 9 November 2026.

A resignation letter has one job: to put on record that you are leaving and on which day. The thanks, the handover offer and the reason are optional, and the letters that cause the fewest problems are short. The twelve templates below are grouped by situation, so you can find yours, fill the brackets and send it.

In short

The formatDate, addressee, one resignation sentence, your notice and last day, optional thanks and handover, sign-off: the order of ACAS's own template [1].
12 templatesStandard, two weeks' notice, email, short notice, effective immediately, retirement, relocation, career change, health, teacher, nurse and part-time.
UK noticeAt least 1 week once you have worked 1 month, more if your contract or a staff policy says so [2].
US noticeThe Labor Department's pages set no federal notice period for an employee who resigns, so two weeks is a custom; check your contract, handbook and state law [8].
Australia and the UAEYour award, agreement or contract sets it in Australia [9]; a UAE private-sector contract sets 30 to 90 days, in writing [11].
Letter or emailBoth work where your employer accepts them; a written record can help avoid disputes about notice, ACAS says [4].

Find your situation, then jump to its template. Names and dates in the filled examples are invented; the words in [brackets] are the fields you replace.

#	Template	Use it when	Tone	The notice line says
1	Standard resignation letter	You are leaving on the notice in your contract	Neutral and warm	Your notice period and last day
2	Two weeks notice letter	A US job with no longer notice in a contract or handbook	Polite and brief	Two weeks, and the date
3	Resignation email	Your employer accepts resignations by email	Brief	Notice and last day, plus a subject line
4	Short notice letter	You need to leave before your notice ends	Practical, asks rather than tells	Your notice, and the earlier day you ask for
5	Effective immediately	You cannot work any notice	Firm and brief	Today, with a handover offer
6	Retirement letter	You are retiring	Grateful	Notice and retirement date
7	Relocation letter	You are moving away	Warm	Notice and moving date
8	Career change letter	You are leaving for a different field	Positive	Notice and last day
9	Health reasons, no detail	You are leaving for health reasons you keep private	Private and brief	Notice, or an earlier day by agreement
10	Teacher resignation letter	You teach in a school	Professional	The date your contract allows, often a term end
11	Nurse resignation letter	You work shifts on a ward, unit or practice	Professional	Notice and your last rostered shift
12	Part-time job letter	A part-time, casual or student job	Friendly and brief	Your last shift

A map of the twelve resignation letter templates sorted by situation: normal notice (standard letter, two weeks notice letter, resignation email), leaving early (short notice, effective immediately), life changes (retirement, relocation, career change, health reasons with no detail) and by job (teacher, nurse, part-time), each with its tone and what the notice line says. — Twelve templates in four groups. Find your situation first, then the tone.

Key numbers

Six figures from official pages opened on 9 November 2026. They are general rules; your contract, award or local law may set a different number.

1 week

the statutory minimum an employee in England, Scotland or Wales must give after 1 month in the job; a contract or staff policy can ask for more, ACAS [2]

Day after

when notice starts if the contract is silent: the day after you tell your employer you are resigning, ACAS [3]

7 parts

in ACAS's resignation notice letter template, counting the sign-off and name as one; two are marked optional: accrued holiday and pay, and thanks [1]

72 hours

of notice after which a California employee with no written contract for a definite period must be paid all wages, including accrued vacation, at the time of quitting, Labor Commissioner [13]

1 week's

wages is the most an employer may deduct under most Australian awards when an employee aged 18 or over gives too little notice and the employer did not agree to less, Fair Work Ombudsman [9]

30 to 90

days of written notice in a UAE private-sector employment contract, u.ae, updated 12 August 2026 [11]

Which resignation letter template fits you: six quick routes

Six routes, each with the fact that makes it fit, checked on 9 November 2026.

If you work in England, Scotland or Wales and want the official wording → start from ACAS's resignation notice letter template, on-page text to paste into an email or document, last updated 15 November 2024 [1]. Template 1 follows its order.
If you work in the US with no contract notice → use Template 2, the two weeks notice letter, because two weeks is a custom: the Labor Department's pages set no federal notice period for an employee who resigns [8].
If you work in Australia → read your award or agreement first, then use Template 1, because most awards let an employer deduct up to one week's wages when an adult employee gives too little notice [9].
If you work in the UAE private sector → use Template 1 in writing with your contract's notice, at least 30 days and no more than 90 [11]. For a letter in Arabic, see our guide to formal letters in Arabic.
If you need to leave before your notice ends → send Template 4, which asks, before Template 5, which announces, because ACAS says too little notice without agreement is likely to breach your contract [2].
If you want the letter written and exported to Word for you → use NOXI's Letter format: one request with your role, last day and tone, then a Word file to edit and sign.

What is a resignation letter?

Definition Resignation letter: a short, dated letter or email to your employer saying that you are resigning from your job, how much notice you are giving and your last working day. It is the record both sides use to count the notice period and work out final pay. ACAS says you do not have to resign in writing, but a written record can help avoid disputes, such as over notice periods [4].

Write something you would be comfortable seeing in your personnel file in ten years.

Resignation letter vs resignation email: which one to send

The words are almost the same; what changes is the wrapper and the proof that it arrived. Check your staff handbook first: some employers name a form, a person or an address for resignations.

	Resignation letter	Resignation email
When it fits	Your handbook asks for a signed letter, or you want a formal copy on file	Offices where your manager works by email; remote jobs
How it starts	Your details, the date, the addressee, "Dear [name]"	A subject line that says "Resignation" and your name, then the same opening
Proof it arrived	Ask your employer to confirm in writing, or send it by recorded delivery, as ACAS suggests [4]	Ask for a reply that confirms your last day, and keep the sent copy
Signature	Signed by hand above your typed name	Typed name, job title and a phone number
Length	One page at most; most good ones are 120 to 200 words	Shorter: 80 to 150 words in the body
A common mix	A short email with the signed letter attached, sent after you have told your manager

The word counts are working guidance, not a rule. ACAS's template text works in an email or a document [1], which keeps both versions identical.

A resignation letter and a resignation email side by side for the same fictional employee: the letter with her details, the date, Dear Daniel, the resignation sentence, four weeks notice and a last day of Monday 14 December 2026, signed by hand; the email with the subject line Resignation, Maya Patel, last day 14 December, the same body in two short paragraphs with a request to confirm the last day, and a typed signature. — The same resignation as a letter and as an email. Only the wrapper and the proof of delivery change.

How to write a resignation letter in 7 steps

These steps work for all twelve templates and follow ACAS's guidance, with checks for other countries.

1. Check your notice and the process

Your contract, written statement or a staff policy may ask for more notice than the legal minimum, ACAS notes [2]; in Australia your award, agreement or contract sets it [9]. The handbook may also say who receives resignations.

2. Tell your manager first, then write

GOV.UK says to tell your employer you are leaving and when your last day will be [6]; ACAS says to write to your manager or HR unless told otherwise [4]. For the conversation, the one-on-one agenda in our meeting agenda template works with two items: the news, and the handover.

3. Work out your last day

If your contract is silent, notice starts the day after you tell your employer [3], and your last day of employment is the last day of your notice period [10]. Count it on a calendar and write the weekday next to the date.

4. Write the seven lines

Date, addressee, the resignation sentence, notice and last day, two optional lines (holiday and pay, then thanks and handover), and your sign-off. That is ACAS's template order [1].

5. Keep the reason short, or leave it out

ACAS's template has no line for a reason [1]. If you give one, use a single sentence: "I am moving to Leeds" or "for health reasons". The exception is resigning over a serious breach of contract by your employer, where ACAS says to explain your reasons clearly [4].

6. Send it in a way you can prove

ACAS suggests asking your employer to confirm receipt in writing, or using recorded delivery [4]. For an email, ask for a reply that confirms your last day.

7. Keep a copy and plan the handover

Save the letter and the reply with your contract, then list what you hand over and by when; a dated plan like those in our timeline template guide helps. In the UK, GOV.UK suggests asking when you will get your P45 [6].

Resignation letter format: the seven lines

Every template below uses these seven lines, filled here for a fictional employee.

Line	Filled example (fictional)
1. Date	Monday 16 November 2026
2. Addressee	Dear Daniel,
3. Resignation	I am resigning from my position as Account Manager at Northfield Lettings.
4. Notice and last day	My contract asks for four weeks' notice, so my last working day will be Monday 14 December 2026.
5. Holiday and pay (optional)	Could you confirm my last day and how much accrued holiday will be in my final pay?
6. Thanks and handover (optional)	Thank you for three good years. I will write a handover note for each of my 42 landlord accounts.
7. Sign-off	Yours sincerely, Maya Patel ("Sincerely" in the US)

A filled one-page resignation letter for a fictional account manager, Maya Patel at Northfield Lettings, with seven labelled lines down the margin: the date Monday 16 November 2026, Dear Daniel, the resignation sentence, four weeks notice with a last working day of Monday 14 December 2026, a question about accrued holiday, a thank-you with a handover note for 42 landlord accounts, and Yours sincerely, marked as a fictional example. — Template 1, filled: seven lines, and the last day written as a weekday and a date.

How much notice to give: the official rules in four countries

Notice needs the most care, because the legal minimum and your contract's number often differ. Here is what each official page says, opened on 9 November 2026. It is general information, not legal advice.

Where	The minimum an employee must give	What can set a longer period	Source
England, Scotland and Wales	None in the first month, unless your written statement says otherwise; at least 1 week after 1 month	Your contract, written statement or a staff policy	ACAS, updated 24 November 2025 [2]
United States	No federal notice period on the Labor Department's pages: the FLSA requires no notice to an employee before termination or lay-off; outside protected cases, termination is subject only to any private or labor contract	Your contract, company policy, a union agreement or state law	US Department of Labor [8]
Australia	Whatever your award, enterprise agreement or contract requires; casual employees do not have to give notice	Your award, agreement or contract	Fair Work Ombudsman Library [9] [10]
United Arab Emirates (private sector)	Written notice of at least 30 days and no more than 90, as your contract sets	Your employment contract	u.ae, updated 12 August 2026 [11]

Two details change most letters. In the US, final pay timing depends on the state: the Department of Labor says federal law does not require an immediate final paycheck, but some states may [7], and California's Labor Commissioner says an employee with no written contract for a definite period who gives at least 72 hours' notice must be paid all wages, including accrued vacation, at the time of quitting [13]. In Australia, an employer cannot reject a resignation, and the notice cannot be reduced unless the employee genuinely agrees, Fair Work's library says [10]. The UAE page adds that the worker is paid in full during notice [11].

A timeline of resigning from check to final pay: check your contract and handbook, tell your manager, hand in the letter (day 0), notice starts the day after if the contract is silent, hand over your work during the notice weeks, last working day, final pay with any holiday owed; below it four country cards: UK at least 1 week after 1 month, US no federal notice period and some states setting when final pay is due, Australia award or agreement with casuals giving none, UAE 30 to 90 days in writing. — From the conversation to final pay. The official minimum is a floor; your contract usually sets the real number.

Resignation letter templates for normal notice: standard, two weeks and email

Each of these three gives the notice in full; you choose the tone and how much thanks to add.

1. Standard resignation letter template

For: any job where you will work your contract's notice. Why it works: it follows ACAS's order [1], gives the last day as a date, and asks about holiday and final pay. Check: in the UK, untaken statutory holiday you have built up must be paid in lieu when you leave [5], so keep the holiday line.

Template 1 · Standard · replace the words in brackets

[Your name] [Your address or personal email] [Date] [Manager's name] [Their job title] [Organisation name] Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as formal notice that I am resigning from my position as [job title] at [organisation name]. My contract asks for [notice period, for example four weeks' notice], so my last working day will be [weekday and date]. Could you confirm my last day, and let me know how much accrued holiday will be included in my final pay? Thank you for your support during my [number] years here. I have learned a great deal from [the team, or a named project], and I will do everything I can to hand over my work smoothly before I leave, starting with [a handover note for each open project]. Yours sincerely, [Signature] [Your name]

2. Two weeks notice letter

For: a US job, or any job, where two weeks is expected and nothing longer is written down. Why it works: it names the exact last day and fills the two weeks with three handover tasks, which is what a manager reads for. Check: two weeks is a custom, not a federal rule [8]; if your contract, offer letter or handbook asks for more, use that.

Template 2 · Two weeks' notice · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], I am writing to give two weeks' notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [company name]. My last working day will be [weekday and date, two weeks from today]. Over the next two weeks I will finish [the open task or project], write up the status of my other work, and train [a colleague's name, or my replacement] on [the system or process only I run]. Thank you for the chance to work with you and the team over the past [length of time]. I am especially grateful for [one specific thing]. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to make the handover easier. Sincerely, [Your name] [Phone number]

3. Resignation email template

For: employers that accept resignations by email, sent right after you have told your manager. Why it works: the subject line says what it is, and the last line asks for a reply confirming your last day, your proof that it arrived [4]. Check: if your handbook asks for a signed letter, attach one.

Template 3 · Resignation email · replace the words in brackets

Subject: Resignation, [Your name], last day [date] Dear [Manager's name], As we discussed [today, or on (date)], I am resigning from my position as [job title]. Under my [contract, or notice period of (number) weeks], my last working day will be [weekday and date]. I will send you a handover list by [date] covering [the main open work], and I am happy to help recruit or train my replacement. Could you reply to confirm my last day, and let me know if HR needs anything else from me? Thank you for [one specific thing]. It has been a pleasure working with you. Best regards, [Your name] [Job title] · [Phone number]

Resignation email subject line: five that work

Say what the email is before it is opened, and never put the reason in the subject. The third carries the date, which helps HR.

Resignation: [Your name], [job title]
Notice of resignation, [Your name]
Resignation, [Your name], last day [date]
[Your name]: resignation and handover plan
Letter of resignation attached, [Your name]

Leaving early: short notice and resignation letter effective immediately

For when you cannot work your full notice. Template 4 asks your employer to agree an earlier day; Template 5 tells them you are leaving now. Asking first keeps you within your contract if they say yes.

4. Short notice resignation letter

For: anyone who must leave before their notice ends, for a new start date, a family matter or a move. Why it works: it gives the full notice first, then asks for an earlier day with a reason and an offer, as ACAS suggests: discuss options and put any agreement in writing [2] [4]. Check: your employer does not have to agree, ACAS says [4]; in Australia, an earlier finish is agreed between both sides, Fair Work's library says [10].

Template 4 · Short notice · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [organisation name]. My contract asks for [notice period], which would make my last day [date]. Because [a short reason, for example: my new role starts on (date)], I would like to ask whether we can agree an earlier last day of [date]. To make that work, I can [finish (task) by (date)], write a handover note for every open file, and [take (number) days of my remaining holiday as part of the notice, if you agree]. I understand you may not be able to agree. If so, I will work my full notice. Either way, I will confirm the date we settle on in writing. Thank you for considering this. Yours sincerely, [Your name]

5. Resignation letter effective immediately

For: the rare case where you cannot work any notice at all. Why it works: it states the date, acknowledges the notice you are not giving, and offers the handover you can still give. Check before you send: in the UK, too little notice without agreement is likely to breach your contract, some contracts allow a deduction for agency cover, and references can suffer [2]; most Australian awards allow a deduction of up to one week's wages [9]; in the UAE, the side that skips notice owes a notice period allowance [11]. If you are leaving because your employer seriously breached your contract, ACAS says not to use its standard template and points you to its advice and helpline [1] [2].

Template 5 · Effective immediately · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [organisation name], effective immediately. My last day of work is [today's date]. I am sorry that I cannot give the notice in my contract. [Optional, one sentence: Personal circumstances mean I am unable to continue.] To help with the handover, I have [sent, or will send by (date)] a list of my open work and where each file is kept, and I can answer questions by email at [personal email] until [date]. Please send my final pay, any holiday pay owed and my [final payslip, P45 or employment documents] to [address or email]. I will return [laptop, badge and keys] by [date]. Thank you for the opportunity to work here. Yours sincerely, [Your name]

Resignation letters for life changes: retirement, relocation, career change and health

Here the reason is usually happy or private. Each template gives it in one sentence at most.

6. Resignation letter template for retirement

For: anyone retiring after some years in a job. Why it works: it leaves room for one achievement and the people, and asks HR about pension forms early. Check: in the UK the default retirement age no longer exists and you can keep working past State Pension age, GOV.UK says, though some employers can set a compulsory retirement age for a good reason [6]. Give your normal notice.

Template 6 · Retirement · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], I am writing to let you know that I will retire from my position as [job title] at [organisation name]. In line with my [notice period], my last working day will be [weekday and date]. After [number] years with [organisation name], this was not an easy decision. I am proud of [one achievement or project], and grateful to have worked with [the team, or named colleagues] for so long. Before I leave, I would like to [train (name) on (responsibility)] and [write down (process) so it does not live only in my head], so that the handover is complete by [date]. Could you or HR let me know which forms I need to complete for my pension and final pay, and by when? With thanks and best wishes, [Your name]

7. Relocation resignation letter

For: anyone leaving because they or their family are moving. Why it works: the reason is nobody's fault, and the optional line opens the door to remote work without assuming it. Check: if you are moving country, ask about final pay, tax documents and permits before your last day.

Template 7 · Relocation · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title]. My family and I are moving to [city or country] in [month], so my last working day will be [weekday and date], which gives the [notice period] in my contract. I have enjoyed working at [organisation name], especially [one specific thing]. [Optional: If there is any chance of continuing in a remote or part-time role from (new location), I would be glad to discuss it. If not, I fully understand.] I will prepare a handover of [the main work] by [date] and am happy to help train my replacement. Yours sincerely, [Your name] [New address or personal email, from (date)]

8. Career change resignation letter

For: anyone leaving for a different field. Why it works: it credits the job you are leaving, which keeps the reference warm, and does not name the new employer. Check: your new start date should fall after your last day here. For the new CV, our AI resume builder ranking compares tools.

Template 8 · Career change · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], I am writing to resign from my position as [job title] at [organisation name]. My last working day will be [weekday and date], in line with my [notice period]. I have decided to move into [new field, for example teaching or software development]. It is a change I have been preparing for over [time], and the experience I gained here in [skill] is a large part of why I can make it. Before I leave, I will hand over [accounts or projects] to [name] and write up [process notes] for the team. Thank you for [the training, the trust or the support]. I hope we stay in touch. Yours sincerely, [Your name]

9. Resignation letter for health reasons, with no detail

For: anyone leaving for their own or a family member's health who wants to keep the details private. Why it works: "for health reasons" is a complete reason, and the letter says plainly you would prefer not to share more. Check: if the job is part of the problem, ACAS suggests raising it informally, then as a grievance, before resigning; it also notes that resigning without another job could affect benefits [4].

Template 9 · Health reasons · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [organisation name], for health reasons. My last working day will be [weekday and date], in line with my [notice period]. [Or, if you need to leave sooner: I would like to ask whether we can agree an earlier last day of (date).] I would prefer to keep the details private, and I appreciate your understanding. I will do what I can to hand over my work before I leave, including [one handover item]. Thank you for your support. Yours sincerely, [Your name]

Resignation letters by job: teacher, nurse and part-time

Some jobs run on a school term, a shift roster or a weekly rota. These three build that into the notice line and the handover.

10. Resignation letter template for teachers

For: teachers resigning from a school post. Why it works: it gives an exact date rather than "end of term", and lists the handover a school needs: plans, marking, reports and notes on each class. Check: a school contract may tie your last day to the end of a term rather than a number of weeks, so read your contract and handbook, or ask your union. For a cover teacher's plan, our lesson plan template guide includes a format for a substitute.

Template 10 · Teacher · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Headteacher's or principal's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [subject or year group] teacher at [school name]. In line with my contract, my last day of employment will be [date, for example the last day of the (autumn, spring or summer) term]. Before I leave, I will make sure that the [schemes of work or lesson plans] for [classes] are up to date, that marking and assessment records are complete, and that [reports, predicted grades or exam entries] are finished by [date]. I will leave a short note on each class for whoever takes them on. Thank you for [the support of the department, or the chance to lead (club or project)]. Teaching [these classes] has been a privilege. Yours sincerely, [Your name] cc: [Chair of governors, the board or HR, if your contract asks for it]

11. Resignation letter for nurses

For: nurses, midwives and other shift-based clinical staff. Why it works: it commits to every rostered shift and a clean handover, which is what a ward manager needs to plan cover. Check: your contract sets the notice; in the US, check your state board of nursing on patient abandonment. The Washington State Board of Nursing, for example, lists resignation without advance notice as an employment issue once the current patient assignment and shift are complete, and leaving without reporting to the on-coming shift among its abandonment examples [12].

Template 11 · Nurse · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Nurse manager's or ward manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title, for example staff nurse] on [ward or unit] at [hospital, clinic or practice name]. My contract asks for [notice period], so my last shift will be [weekday and date]. I will work all the shifts I am already rostered for until then. Before I leave, I will make sure my [training records and documentation] are complete, hand over my [link nurse or team role] to [colleague], and return my [badge, keys and uniform] on my last shift. Thank you to you and the team for [the support, or what you taught me]. It has been a privilege to work on [ward or unit]. Yours sincerely, [Your name] [Staff or registration number, if your employer asks for it]

12. Part-time job resignation letter

For: part-time, casual and student jobs with a rota. Why it works: it names the last shift and offers to help with the rota, the manager's real worry. Check: part-time hours do not change the basic rules: the US Department of Labor says full-time or part-time does not change how the FLSA applies [8], ACAS's minimum applies to anyone with employee status [2], and in Australia casual employees do not have to give notice [9].

Template 12 · Part-time job · replace the words in brackets

[Date] Dear [Manager's name], I am writing to let you know that I am resigning from my part-time position as [job title] at [workplace]. My last shift will be [weekday and date], which gives [notice period] of notice. [Optional: I am leaving because of (my course timetable, exams or a new full-time role).] I will work my scheduled shifts until then, and I am happy to swap or cover [day] shifts if that helps the rota. Thank you for [the flexibility, or the training]. I have enjoyed working with the team. Best wishes, [Your name] [Phone number]

What not to put in a resignation letter

Six things to keep out of the letter:

Complaints about your manager, colleagues or pay. The letter goes in your file; raise problems informally, then as a grievance, as ACAS advises [4].
Medical details. "For health reasons" is a complete reason.
Your new salary, or a demand for a counter-offer. If you are open to staying, say so in the conversation.
A notice period you have not checked. Count it from your contract, award or agreement [2] [9].
Promises you cannot keep. Give one email address and an end date, as Template 5 does.
Long apologies or long thanks. One specific sentence of thanks reads as sincere.

Check before you send: contract, handbook and local law

A short, honest list. This page is general information, not legal advice. If something is in dispute, the ACAS helpline (UK), the Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia), the Wage and Hour Division or your state labor department (US) [7], or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (UAE) [11] can help.

Your notice period, in writing.Contract, written statement or staff policy in the UK [2]; award or agreement in Australia [9]; 30 to 90 days in a UAE contract [11].
Who receives it, and in what form.Your handbook may name HR, a form or a signed letter; ask for written confirmation [4].
Your last day, counted correctly.If the contract is silent, notice starts the day after you tell your employer [3].
Final pay and unused holiday.UK: untaken statutory holiday is paid in lieu [5]. US: no federal rule for an immediate final paycheck, but some states, such as California, set one [7] [13].
Anything you agree, in writing.An earlier last day or leave during notice, confirmed in writing, as ACAS suggests [2].
Benefits, permits and pensions.Resigning without another job could affect benefits [4]; resigning during UAE probation can affect a new work permit [11].
Whether you might change your mind.Your employer does not have to accept a withdrawal, ACAS says [4]. Send it only when you are sure.

Once it is sent, the notice weeks are about the handover. If you lead a project, a short pack like our project closure presentation, or a one-page status note in the shape of our executive summary examples, gives the next person a clear start.

Three ready requests to paste into NOXI

To get a finished, laid-out letter instead of filling the brackets by hand, paste one of these into NOXI and replace the words in brackets with your own facts.

Prompt 1 · A standard resignation letter (Letter format)

A resignation letter. I am [Maya Patel], [Account Manager] at [Northfield Lettings], and my manager is [Daniel Reid]. I am giving [four weeks'] notice, so my last working day is [Monday 14 December 2026]. Tone: [warm and brief]. Thank him for [three years and the move to the commercial team], offer [a handover note for each of my 42 landlord accounts], and ask him to confirm my last day and my accrued holiday. Use only the facts in this request, keep it under 200 words, and sign off "Yours sincerely".

Prompt 2 · A teacher's resignation letter (Letter format)

A resignation letter from [Sam Okafor], [Year 5 teacher] at [Riverside Primary School], to the headteacher, [Mrs Helen Shaw]. My last day of employment is [Friday 18 December 2026, the last day of the autumn term]. Tone: [professional and warm]. Say I will leave lesson plans for each class, finish the [autumn reports] by [11 December] and hand over the [chess club] to [Mr Reece]. Add a cc line to [the chair of governors]. Use only these facts; one page.

Prompt 3 · One change, by chat

Make the tone a little warmer and cut the letter to 150 words. Keep the last day and the handover offer exactly as they are, and change nothing else.

Make it in NOXI: a resignation letter in Word from one request

NOXI 2.0 makes 14 formats from one request, and Letter is one of them. It is free to start: the free plan covers five documents a month, and every change after that, by chat or by hand, is free. No credit card is needed to start, and downloads carry no watermark, on the free plan too.

Step 1. Open NOXI and choose Letter

Go to noxi.ai and sign in, or create a free account. On Home, open More and choose Letter. The format is a starting point, and a clear request wins.

Step 2. Give your role, last day and tone in one request

Paste Prompt 1 or 2 with your own name, job title, manager, notice and last day, and the tone you want. NOXI writes from the facts in your request; when a fact cannot be confirmed, it leaves a clear field for you to fill instead of guessing.

Step 3. Press Create and read it through

NOXI sketches the page first, then writes it, and reads the whole document through to fix what does not agree, such as a name spelled two ways. Check the last day and the notice against your contract yourself.

Step 4. Change the tone by chat or edit by hand

Send Prompt 3 and NOXI changes only what you asked, or edit any line yourself. Every change can be undone.

Step 5. Export Word, sign and send

Export Word for editable pages, add your signature, and send it from your own email or print it. PDF is there too, with selectable text. Each file is compared with the pages before the download appears.

Frequently asked questions

Which resignation letter template should I use?: Use the standard template for your full notice, the two weeks notice letter for a US job with nothing longer written down, the email version if your employer accepts email, and the short notice or immediate template only if you cannot work your notice. Seven more cover retirement, relocation, career change, health, teaching, nursing and part-time jobs.
What should a resignation letter include?: The date, your manager's name, a sentence saying you are resigning from your job title at your employer, your notice period and last working day, and your name. ACAS's template adds two optional lines: a question about accrued holiday and pay, and thanks with an offer to help before you leave. A reason is optional.
How much notice do I need to give when I resign?: Whatever your contract, award or agreement says, and never less than the legal minimum where you work. In England, Scotland and Wales that is at least one week after one month in the job, says ACAS. A UAE private-sector contract sets 30 to 90 days. The US Labor Department's pages set no federal notice period for employees who resign.
Is a two weeks notice letter required by law?: Not under US federal law, going by the Department of Labor: its FLSA answers say the Act has no requirement for notice before termination or lay-off, and its pages set no notice period for an employee who resigns, so two weeks is a custom. A contract, offer letter, handbook, union agreement or state law can still require notice.
Can I write a resignation letter effective immediately?: You can, but check the cost first. In the UK, ACAS says leaving without enough notice and without agreement is likely to breach your contract. Most Australian awards let an employer deduct up to one week's wages. In the UAE, the side that skips notice owes an allowance. Asking for an earlier last day is usually safer.
What should the subject line of a resignation email be?: Say what it is and who it is from, without the reason: "Resignation, [Your name], last day [date]" works well because HR can file it by date. "Notice of resignation, [Your name]" and "Letter of resignation attached, [Your name]" also work. Ask for a reply confirming your last day and keep the sent copy.
Do I have to give a reason in my resignation letter?: Usually not. ACAS's resignation template has no line for a reason. One sentence such as "for health reasons" or "I am moving to Leeds" is enough if you want to give one. If you resign because you believe your employer seriously breached your contract, ACAS says to explain your reasons clearly.
Can my employer refuse to accept my resignation?: In Australia, Fair Work's library says an employer cannot reject an employee's resignation. In the UK, ACAS's guidance is about notice rather than acceptance, and it notes the reverse case: if you change your mind, your employer does not have to accept the withdrawal, though it should consider it seriously. Check local law elsewhere.
Will I be paid for unused holiday when I resign?: In the UK, yes for statutory holiday: ACAS says employers must pay workers in lieu for untaken statutory holiday they have built up when they leave. In the US, the FLSA does not require pay for time not worked, so it depends on company policy and state law; California, for example, includes accrued vacation in final wages.
Can NOXI write my resignation letter?: Yes. Choose the Letter format and give your name, job title, manager, notice, last day and tone. NOXI writes the letter from those facts, leaves a clear field for a fact it cannot confirm, and exports Word to edit and sign, or PDF. The free plan covers five documents a month, and every change after that is free.

Sources & methodology

Every rule, limit and quoted line comes from its publisher, opened on 9 November 2026, signed out, with nothing downloaded. The twelve templates and the filled example are editorial: every name, company, school and date in them is invented. Nothing on this page is legal advice.

[1] On-page template to copy into an email or document, in this order: today's date; "Dear [name of manager]"; notice of resignation from [job title] at [organisation]; notice period and expected last day; optional question on accrued holiday and pay; optional thanks and offer of help; "Yours sincerely" and name; Word (DOCX) and ODT copies offered (not downloaded); a warning not to use it if you believe you have no choice but to resign, for example after a serious breach of contract, with links to its constructive dismissal advice and helpline · ACAS, Resignation notice letter template, last updated 15 November 2024, checked 9 November 2026.
[2] Under 1 month, no notice unless the written statement says otherwise; after 1 month, "a minimum of 1 weeks' notice"; contract, written statement or staff policy may ask for more; the minimum does not apply where both sides agree an alternative, such as taking leave instead of working the full notice; too little notice without agreement means the employee "is likely to be breaching their contract"; some contracts allow a deduction for agency cover; references in financial services or caring roles; serious breach by the employer · ACAS, Notice periods: resignation, last updated 24 November 2025, checked 9 November 2026.
[3] "If an employee's contract does not say when the notice period starts, the notice period starts the day after" the employee tells the employer they are resigning · ACAS, When the notice period starts, last updated 24 November 2025, checked 9 November 2026.
[4] You do not have to resign in writing, but a written record can help avoid disputes; write to your manager or HR unless told to write to someone else, saying you are resigning, how much notice and your intended last working day; ask for written confirmation or use recorded delivery; your employer "does not have to agree" to a request to leave early; where a serious breach may mean you need not give full notice, "explain clearly your reasons for leaving"; your employer does not have to accept a withdrawal but should consider it seriously · ACAS, How to resign. Raise a problem informally first, then as a grievance; resigning without another job could affect benefits; check your contract for final pay · ACAS, What to consider before resigning; both last updated 30 June 2026, checked 9 November 2026.
[5] "Employers must pay workers 'in lieu' for any untaken statutory holiday entitlement they've accrued when they leave"; deductions for holiday taken beyond what was built up only if agreed in the contract or in writing beforehand; final pay on the normal payday · ACAS, Holidays and final pay and Final pay when someone leaves a job, last updated 19 May 2026, checked 9 November 2026.
[6] "Tell your current employer that you're going to leave and when your last day will be"; "ask your employer when you'll get your P45" · GOV.UK, Handing in your notice. The default retirement age "no longer exists"; "You can keep working past your State Pension age"; some employers can set a compulsory retirement age · GOV.UK, Working after State Pension age; both checked 9 November 2026 (no update date shown).
[7] "Employers are not required by federal law to give former employees their final paycheck immediately"; "Some states, however, may require immediate payment"; if the regular payday has passed, contact the Wage and Hour Division or the state labor department · US Department of Labor, Last Paycheck, checked 9 November 2026 (no date shown).
[8] "The FLSA has no requirement for notice to an employee prior to termination or lay-off"; no FLSA requirement for severance pay or for pay for time not worked, such as vacations · US Department of Labor, Questions and Answers About the FLSA. Outside discrimination, whistleblower and related protected cases, termination is generally governed only by any applicable employment contract or labor agreement, the usual meaning of at-will employment, though the page does not use the term · US Department of Labor, Termination. "Whether an employee is considered full-time or part-time does not change the application of the FLSA" · US Department of Labor, Part-Time Employment; all checked 9 November 2026 (no dates shown).
[9] Awards often require notice when an employee resigns; casual employees do not have to give notice; most awards allow a deduction of up to one week's wages where the employee is 18 or over, the employer did not agree to shorter notice and the deduction is not unreasonable; deductions only from wages due under the award; the page says the article is being reviewed · Fair Work Ombudsman Library, Minimum employee notice and withholding final pay (K600464), checked 9 November 2026.
[10] "An employer can't reject an employee's resignation"; notice "can't be reduced unless the employee genuinely agrees"; the last day of employment is the last day of the notice period; options include an agreed earlier finish, paying out notice where an award or contract allows, and gardening leave · Fair Work Ombudsman Library, Resignation notice: ending the notice period early (K600628), checked 9 November 2026. The Ombudsman's main resignation pages on www.fairwork.gov.au did not open for us on 9 November 2026 (repeated timeouts), so only these library articles are cited.
[11] Article 43: written notice to the other party; the contract continues during a notice period "which must not be less than 30 days and not exceed 90 days"; full wage for the notice period on the most recent salary; the party that skips notice pays a notice period allowance; resigning during probation can affect a new work permit for one year · u.ae, Terminating employment contracts and arbitrary dismissal, last updated 12 August 2026, checked 9 November 2026.
[12] "Resignation without advance notice, assuming the nurse's current patient care assignment and work shift have been completed" listed as an employment issue; "Leaving without reporting to the on-coming shift" listed among abandonment examples · Washington State Board of Nursing, Employment issue vs patient abandonment, checked 9 November 2026 (no date shown).
[13] An employee without a written contract for a definite period who gives at least 72 hours' notice "must be paid all of his or her wages, including accrued vacation, at the time of quitting"; without that notice, "within 72 hours of quitting" · California Labor Commissioner's Office, Paydays, pay periods, and the final wages, checked 9 November 2026 (no date shown).