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How to Write a Resignation Letter

Here’s what to say — and what to leave out.

Should you write a resignation letter? In most cases, quitting a job doesn’t require one. However, there are some situations in which you want to write one, the author explains in this piece. She outlines what those reasons are and offers advice for how to actually write one, including tips on what not  to say. The article also includes a template you can use with sample language.

You’ve made the decision to quit your job and you want to leave on a positive note. This starts with giving notice and letting people know in a professional way. So, do you need to send a resignation letter? If so, who do you send it to? And what do you say?

• Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review, cohost of the Women at Work podcast , and the author of two books: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict . She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics. Watch her TEDx talk on conflict and follow her on LinkedIn . amyegallo

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Updated September 11, 2023

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A resignation letter is a form that gives notice to an entity or organization of an employee’s intent to quit their job. The objective of a resignation letter, aside from informing the company of the employee’s resignation, is to maintain a positive relationship between the two parties.

By Type (12)

1 week notice.

2 Weeks Notice

Board Resignation

Church (Religious)

Professional Job

What is a Resignation Letter?

Resignation letters are short, formal letters informing your employer that you intend to quit your job. They’re often submitted in advance to HR, a supervisor, or a manager. They are essential in helping you make sure you leave on positive terms with your employer.

You don’t want to leave a negative impression when you quit your job because that could hurt your chances with other employers. Even if you’re leaving because of some fault within management or the organization at large, it’s in your best interests to leave those reasons out of the letter itself.

When done right, resignation letters can help gain you a valuable reference when applying to other jobs and furthering your career goals. In the rare case that you would want to return to your old position in the future, a well-written letter of resignation is crucial. Make this letter a positive experience and follow proper etiquette when writing your resignation letter.

What to Include in a Resignation Letter

There are plenty of unspoken rules when it comes to writing and submitting a resignation letter. Staying positive and leaving out complaints about the company is just one of many of these rules. Here are some others you should keep in mind:

• Keep it short and to the point . There’s no reason to draw this letter out beyond a single page. You might have a lot to say about the job depending on your reasons for leaving, but it’s best to keep it simple.
• Include only positive comments . Again, the goal is to leave on good terms with your soon-to-be former employer. So, list some things you valued from your time working at your job.
• Submit it in advance . You want to give your employer some time to find a replacement for your position, so generally two weeks’ notice is the norm. Company guidelines can shed some light on this. Even if you give a few weeks’ notice, you should be prepared for the chance that your employer may terminate you soon after you submit your resignation.
• Make it personable . This means being friendly and delivering the letter in person if you can. This will show your boss you care and will help mitigate awkwardness in the future.

If you follow these guidelines, you’ll probably end up on good terms with your employer. Now there’s just the matter of writing the letter.

How to Write a Resignation Letter (5 steps)

• Download Our Resignation Letter
• Create a Header
• Include a Body Paragraph
• Ending and Signature
• Delivering the Letter

1. Download Our Resignation Letter

2. Create a Header

Example Header John Rackaneli 785 Belleview Way New York, NY 10020 (347) 495-9309 January 1, 2017 Ray Carrera GlobalCorp 1 Finance Center New York, NY 10176 Dear Mr. Smith,

3. Include a Body Paragraph

Notice Period – The industry standard is two (2) weeks; however, with more intensive industries, like healthcare, sometimes a month or even more is expected due to the competitive nature of finding replacements. The employer may choose to deny your notice-period and terminate your employment immediately. Plan your resignation ahead of time and make sure that you will be financially stable in the event that your employer decides to dismiss you forthwith.

Example Body This letter represents my official notice of resignation from my position of electrician with G&E effective on the 2nd of April, 2017. It has been a gratifying experience to work alongside the individuals at G&E. I appreciate the knowledge and experience I have gained during my time here. I trust two weeks will be a sufficient amount of time for you to find a replacement and I’d like to offer my assistance in training the person that will take over my position. Thank you for your understanding.

4. Ending and Signature

Example Signature Line Sincerely, [Signature] Blake Rose

5. Delivering the Letter

Resignation Letter – Sample 1

Dear Mrs. Augustine,

I must regretfully inform you of my resignation from the Beardall Senior Center. My last day will be August 20th.

Working at the Senior Center has been one of my favorite jobs I’ve had and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work alongside. Thank you for being so understanding about my family situation and constructing a schedule that allows me to be home for my children as much as possible.

I hope you don’t have any issues in finding a replacement. I’m sure you won’t as you are an excellent supervisor and a wonderful person.

If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.

[Signature]

Kristine Balleck

Resignation Letter – Sample 2

Dear Ms. Mae,

I, AJ Bergman, present to you this letter of resignation from my current position of children’s counselor at the YMCA Family Center, effective February 30th, 2017.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the years of enjoyable and fulfilling employment. I have learned a lot during my time here and will be leaving with many great experiences and fond memories.

I would be happy to help find a replacement and train them, as I know this is somewhat short notice and out of the blue. I hope you realize my quitting is in no way a reflection of your ability to manage, but I must move on for personal reasons.

Best regards,

Resignation Letter – Sample 3

Dear Mrs. Greene,

Please accept my formal resignation as front desk agent at the Hampton Inn. I would prefer to leave at the end of the week but I can be available for the next two weeks, until the 2nd of April, if necessary.

I want to thank you for the opportunities you and the hotel have given me. It’s been a very positive working environment and I have made good friends during my time here.

I am more than happy to train a new front desk agent while I carry out the remainder of my employment.

Tammy Baretti

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May 23, 2022

How to write a resignation email with 8 examples

This article teaches you how to write a resignation email with the help of resignation letter email examples and our resignation email template.

Lawrie Jones

Table of contents

So, you've accepted a new job, and it's time to type out that resignation email. But what do you say in your email resignation letter?

A great resignation email will set the tone for your departure. Send a professional resignation letter, and your last few weeks will be a pleasure. Get it wrong, and it could damage relationships, references, and even your future career. It'll also make working your notice period a little weird.

Here, we break down the fundamentals of a functional email resignation, showing you the building blocks for better messages.

Don't worry. We also provide 10 resignation email samples and show how to write a resignation letter with Flowrite's resignation email template.

Flowrite writes your emails for you using AI. Here's how it can help you nail the proper resignation email:

Should I resign in person or by email?

Nobody likes breaking bad news in person, so we should all send emails, right? Wrong. If you're quitting a job, you'll want to do it properly – and that means speaking to your boss or HR team in person (if possible).

In the past, when leaving a job, you'd do it in two stages:

• Sit down and speak to your boss in-person

• Send a formal email to your boss and HR team to tell them of your decision

But now, with more of us working at home or remotely, sitting your boss down or even speaking on the phone isn't always possible. 

Email is easy and quick, but it's impersonal. Sending an email without speaking to your boss could be considered rude and harm your relationship. This can matter, particularly if you want your boss to provide a reference.

So, should you resign in person or by email? You should do both.

If you can't speak to your manager in person, the next best thing is a video call or phone call. Then, once you've broken the news, follow up with a formal resignation email to set the wheels in motion with your HR team.

We're all about the written word, but if you need some help communicating clearly,  Forbes  has created a nice list of things you should never say to your boss when quitting.

What is a resignation letter?

What is a resignation letter? It's a formal piece of written correspondence that terminates your employment.

At the most basic level, your resignation email sets out your intention to leave and the date you want to go.

In most cases, your HR team will use the date of your resignation letter to calculate your departure date. Most of us will have to work a notice period, so the sooner your resignation letter is in, the quicker you'll be starting your new job.

If you've followed our advice and spoken to your boss first, that's a great start. Still, many won't consider the process underway until they receive a signed and dated resignation letter. 

Is it ok to resign over email? 

It's totally fine to quit with a letter, but is it ok to resign over email?

None of us will write a resignation email as public as  Greg Smith , who chose to call out the toxic culture at a major US bank. You'll probably only want to take this bold move if you're supremely confident or rich (like Smith).

Even if your experience at a company hasn't been great, you should resign gracefully, says HR expert  Priscilla Claman . Why? "You need your current boss or HR department to be able to provide at least a neutral reference if future employers contact them," she says.

An email resignation may be acceptable, but it's not professional and could harm your career. Your boss could take it personally and choose to provide a less than complimentary reference, or refuse to give one at all.

However, there are some rare cases where an email resignation is acceptable, such as when you're experiencing problems with your employer or in conflict.

What is a 2-week notice email?

In Europe and the rest of the world, most employees need to give their employers a month's notice before leaving. In the US, they only need to provide two-weeks notice.

Employment laws in the States are lower, with employers and employees free to chop and change. So while there's  no legal duty to send a two-weeks notice email , it's polite and professional to do so.

Like any resignation email or letter, it should typically only be sent after you've spoken to your boss in person.

Is resignation the same as 2 weeks' notice? 

Loads of people ask: Is resignation the same as 2 weeks' notice? And the answer is yes. 

They're both a form of resignation email that terminates your employment. In the US, you'd generally say that you're offering two weeks' notice from the day the resignation email was sent. Elsewhere in the world, your resignation letter starts a negotiation process to decide on your official leaving date.

Make sense? Then let's get started on how to write a resignation email.

How to write a resignation email

A resignation email is a  formal email that follows a standard format . The best resignation email format we've found is one that keeps things simple.

There are five essential parts to any resignation email:

2. Greeting

3. Opening lines & Body

5. Sign-off

The great news is that once you've mastered how to write a resignation email using the correct format, you can use it anytime you need to. You can check out 10 examples of resignation email format samples later in this blog to see how we put this into practice.

Before we get to the resignation email samples, let's dig into the details further into what makes a great email. 

Resignation email subject line

Selecting an appropriate resignation email subject can be a challenge, so we recommend keeping it as simple as possible. You want to ensure the subject line for the resignation email is clear. Why? Suppose the recipient doesn't know it's a resignation email. In that case, they might ignore it, delaying your new start date and affecting your plans.

Here are ten resignation email subject lines you could use:

• Resignation email – Your name
• Official resignation Notice – Your name
• Resignation date – Insert date
• Formal resignation notice – Your name
• I'm resigning today – Your name
• My resignation – Your name
• My last say is (Insert date)
• Two-weeks' notice
• Today is my last day
• Formal resignation request – Your name

Resignation email structure

Each resignation email has a greeting, opening, the meat of the message (body copy), and a sign-off.

If you're worried about how to start a resignation email, check out our guide on formal email openings. This should provide the insight you need to craft great messages. 

Resignation email opening examples 

After you've provided an appropriate greeting, it's time to get to business. First, tell someone straight away what the purpose of your email is. Don't worry if this sounds quite formal; that's what this email is – so tell someone you're leaving upfront.

Here are a few acceptable resignation email openings;

• Please accept this email as notice of my resignation
• Please accept this email as my formal resignation
• Please accept this email as my resignation

Resignation email content 

The resignation letter email body is where you can go into details. Some essential resignation letter email content includes:

• Advising someone that you intend to leave and that you're starting the notice period from this date forward
• Thanking the person or organization for your employment
• Offering reasons why you're leaving (if you want to)
• Asking for a reference (if required)
• Offering to help recruit your replacement

Many people want to know one question: should they apologize in a resignation email? Leaving a job is part of life, and (unless you've done something wrong) you have nothing to apologize for. In fact, saying sorry when you're not could be pretty annoying, say the experts at  Business Insider .

Say so if you're genuinely sorry for something you've done or a situation you're leaving. But, like we tell kids, only ever say sorry if you mean it.

When it comes to ending your email, read our  guide on how to close an email  for all the inside tips and information. 

Email resignation sign-off

Deciding how to  sign off a resignation email  is up to you. Still, we would recommend being formal in most cases. On the other hand, if you're friendly with your boss and they're already aware you're resigning, feel free to be a little warmer.

Check out our guide on how to end emails before deciding on an appropriate sign-off.

8 resignation email examples

We've explained the principles, and it's time to show you some resignation email examples. We've created 10 resignation letter email examples that illustrate how to say "I quit" politely and professionally.

You're free to cut and paste our sample resignation emails, but we'd always suggest editing them to personalize them. Even though you're leaving, you'll want to show you care about your old job, so always update our sample email resignation letters. 

1. Short resignation email

If you've already spoken with your boss and broken the bad news, this short resignation email is for you. A simple resignation email focuses on the fundamentals and ensures that your request is communicated clearly.

Here's our simple resignation email with a notice period sample.

2. Email to an employer for resignation

This is a standard and simple email to an employer for resignation. We follow the format above and provide some thanks for the time spent in employment. This employer resignation email sample has space for you to adjust it to your circumstances.

3. Resignation announcement email to staff

As a manager or leader, you may be required to send a resignation announcement to staff. A resignation email to co-workers is about breaking the news that you're leaving but that they'll be left in safe hands.

4. Resignation email to a manager

 When creating a resignation email to your manager, you can introduce more personality. You've been working closely with this person, after all! We assume you've already spoken before sending this resignation email to your manager.

5. Resignation letter email to HR 

Your HR team is less likely to know you and be interested in your circumstances, so this resignation letter to HR colleagues is relatively formal. This sample resignation email to HR will start the termination process and discussions about your leaving date, so be clear about what you want.

6. Resignation email example with notice period 

If you're leaving your old job for a new one, you'll want to agree to a notice period. However, deciding how to write a resignation email with a notice period can be challenging. You want to be fair to your old employer but leave as soon as possible.

In this resignation email example with the notice period, we suggest when we want to leave. But the door is open for negotiation. So be sure to adjust this sample email for resignation with a notice period to your circumstances.

7. Resignation email sample without notice period 

Some roles, such as zero-hours contracts, don't require a notice period, so you could leave straight away if you want to. In this resignation email sample without notice period, we explain why we're leaving and when we're going. Still, we aim to leave things positively.

If you're wondering how to write a resignation email without a notice period, then our sample can help.

8. Resignation email effective immediately

In some cases, you'll want to create a resignation email effective immediately. This could happen if you've experienced issues at work or simply don't need to offer any notice. Our advice on how to write a resignation email effective immediately is to keep it short and to the point – which is what we've done.

Here is our sample email to resign with immediate effect.

Flowrite's resignation email templates

The difference between writing a good and great resignation email can be as simple as our AI writing assistant that takes your instructions and turns them into ready-to-send emails and messages, like this:

‍ Our browser extension and web app take care of the email format, capitalization, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. In other words, you can focus on the message, and Flowrite will take care of the delivery.

Our email template collection features dozens of email templates to help you write professional emails such us resignation letter emails.

Writing a resignation email or email resignation letter should be easy, but we know that it often isn't. Telling someone we're leaving can feel like we're delivering bad news, and who likes doing that?

By breaking down the process of how to write a resignation email, we hope we've made it simpler.

When you need to send a resignation letter email, follow the format, use one of our resignation email samples as a source of inspiration, or rely on Flowrite's resignation email template to do the job for you.

You'll ensure you leave in the most professional way possible, clear and confident to start your new role.

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A Detailed Guide to Writing Resignation Letters (With 6 Samples)

An employee resignation letter is the best way to end the professional association with an employee. Employers should encourage their employees to write formal resignation letters if they wish to leave the company. This is better than uninformed prolonged leave of absence or going absconding without any explanation.

Table of Contents:

What are resignation letters?

Importance of resignation letters, how to write resignation letters.

• Tips to remember while writing a resignation letter

Resignation letter templates

The resignation letter is mainly an official document, which records the termination or an employee’s end of employment with your company. The employee should submit this letter after intimating their decision to resign via email or in-person.

Ideally, you should encourage your employees to speak with their reporting manager directly before they send the resignation letter. This would give you ample time to prepare for the eventuality. If your employees are working remotely or cannot meet their manager physically, for some reason, ask them to connect with their managers via the phone or video chat.

If the employee has made their mind, you can provide them with a resignation letter template or sample and ask them to submit the letter in the given format.

In general, the best resignation letters should cover the following details:

• Resignation statement for the company
• Last date of employment
• Statement expressing gratitude
• Important information or next steps

If an employee has decided to leave the job, then it is considered a professional courtesy to let them go. If they need help on the front, give them a resignation letter format to use. Resignation letters hold great importance for the HR department, as it helps them keep an official record of the employee’s resignation and accordingly calculate the final settlement and the severance pay for the employee.

Resignation letters also contain significant operational information, which can be of use to the reporting manager, such as the final working day of the employee and the notice period to be served. This will help them effectively plan their manpower requirements after the employee leaves.

The process of writing resignation letters is simple, provided the employee follows some key steps. The employee should be encouraged to meet their reporting manager before writing the letter. This is so as to follow the right resignation processes and policies set by your company.

A resignation letter must cover the following information:

Date and time: The standard resignation letter should contain the date and time, along with a few additional details. It will help to keep a proper track record of the notice period or for the final settlement.

This information may not be required in a resignation email, as the information is already available in the document provided. However, if you plan to write a handwritten letter, then you must add these details on the document’s top right corner.

Direct address: The employee should mention the full name of the recipient. They may use salutations like “Dear”, “Mr/Ms”, “Hello” followed by the last name of the reporting manager.

Subject: In the subject section, the employee should indicate their reason for writing the letter. In this case, the subject should be stated as a “letter of resignation”.

Resignation statement: The employee should clearly state that they are writing this letter to submit their formal resignation. They may also include their job title to inform the company of the position that is becoming vacant.

Last working day: It is standard practice, across industries, for employees to serve a minimum of 30-days’ notice before finally resigning. You can add specific data about the notice period term and final working day with the company.

Gratitude statement: Whatever the experience may have been during the tenure, it is only nice to part ways on a positive note. To ensure this ideology is followed, you can ask your resigning employees to include a statement of gratitude to their reporting manager or the company in their resignation letter. This will help them maintain a positive and professional relationship, irrespective of whether they stay with the company or not.

Irrespective of the reason for resignation, employees should ensure that the tone of the resignation letter is positive. This will help the employee to stay in touch with their managers professionally even after having left the company.

List the next steps: The employee should list all the important information that their reporting manager must know about this transition. For example, include the details about the next step.

Proper closing with signature: Finally, the employee should close the letter with an appropriate closing statement, such as ‘thank you’ or ‘ yours sincerely’, followed by their name.

Additional tips to remember while writing a resignation letter

• Employees must never use the resignation letter as a medium to vent out frustration.
• Advice the employees to always deliver the resignation letter personally to their reporting managers.
• A resignation letter must be brief, simple and direct so that one can constructively convey their decision.
• Employees must plan their resignations to ensure a smooth operational transition for the company. This will also make sure that they do not go unpaid. If there is a gap after the last working day at the current/previous company and before joining a new company, the person would be idle for a few days without any payment.
• Employees should follow instructions provided by their reporting manager on the next steps they need to follow to ensure a smooth transition and final settlement process. The manager may ask them to finish any pending projects or take certain steps so that the company operations carry on without hiccups.

Below is a generic resignation letter examples for employees:

1. Dear (name of reporting manager),

Kindly accept this document as my formal resignation notice from (name of company). My last working day will be (final working date) — 30 days from today, (date). I am very grateful for your support and guidance during my time at the company. I appreciate all my valuable experiences while on the job. It was such a pleasure working with the team and, especially, you.

Do guide me about what to do to make this transition smooth. Thank you once again and best of luck.

Best wishes (Employee name)

Note: This is a basic template for employees, which provides all basic information to be incorporated in a simple resignation letter. However, you can give employees an option to customize it as per their preference.

Resignation letter samples and formats to be used for different circumstances:

2. For a better opportunity

To, Name of reporting manager Company name Address Date

Subject: Letter of Resignation

With this letter, I would like to inform you that I have been offered a job at another company. The role is a great next step for my career. I request you to accept this letter as my formal announcement of resignation from my duties towards (company name). My 30-days’ notice period commences on (start date) and ends on (last working date).

I am grateful for the ample opportunities I received to learn and grow during my term with the company.

Yours sincerely, (Signature) (Full name)

3. For relocation

Please note that this letter is my formal resignation announcement from (company name). I am relocating to (city/country name), therefore, it won’t be possible for me to continue with the current job.

My last working day would be (last working date) — 30 days from (start date). I thank you for the opportunities that allowed me to grow and learn. I hope my new position is equally inspiring, motivating and helpful.

I wish the best for you and the company.

I would like to be guided on how to make this transition a smooth process.

4. For family reasons

Kindly accept my request of resignation effective from (last working date). My wife/husband and I welcomed our first/second/third (or another number) child a month ago. Post my parental leave, I would like to remain home with our child/children to focus on my family’s needs.

I hope you will understand my situation and I thank you in advance for it. Please inform me of any duties you would like me to perform in my notice period.

5. For undisclosed reasons

If the employee does not have a specific reason or they do not want to disclose their reason for leaving, they can customise the below version of a short resignation letter.

This letter is to inform you that I need to resign from (company name) by (date). Certain family/personal circumstances have arisen, which require my full-time attention. I will not be able to continue as (role/designation) any further.

I will be available over the next 30-days, until (last working date) to offer my assistance and support for a smooth transition.

6. For a change in career

This is a request to accept my resignation effective (final working date). I have been offered a new position with a different company. I think it is the right move for me at this point in my career and have, hence, accepted it.

I am extremely grateful for all the learning opportunities I received during my time with (company name). My last working day would be (final date).

Kindly let me know how I can assist you in making this transition seamless and positive. I will help you with the needful.

Note: It is not mandatory to mention the future employer’s name in the resignation letter. In fact, it is recommended to leave out that information.

For an employer, an employee resignation letter is the best way to end the professional association with an employee. It allows them to end things on a positive note. Therefore, employers should encourage their employees to write formal resignation letters if they wish to leave the company. This is better than uninformed prolonged leave of absence or going absconding without any explanation. Employers should provide their employees with the required framework (template) to write an effective resignation letter.

Related Articles:

13 Best Tips to Write Effective Job Posts for New Hires Top 10 Illegal and Legal Reasons for Firing Employees The Art of Writing Employment Letters A Detailed Guide to Becoming a Good Interviewer 7 Best Relieving Letter Templates 7 Best Ways to Reduce Employee Attrition

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Resignation Email Message Examples

Email Tips, Examples, and Templates to Use to Resign

Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts.

What to Include in a Resignation Email

• Tips for Writing a Resignation Email
• Review Samples and Templates

Resignation Email Message Example

• Resignation Email Example – Personal Reasons
• Resignation Email Template

More Resignation Letters and Emails

Maddy Price / The Balance

In some cases, the best way to resign from your job is by sending an email resignation message. If it's possible, it is most appropriate to resign from your job by  telling your boss in-person . However, in some cases, it's not feasible.

For example, if you have a remote position or your boss works in another city or country, you might not be able to resign in person. In this case, you might decide to announce you are quitting your job through email. That’s perfectly acceptable if  providing notice  in-person isn’t possible.

If you need to  resign via email , be sure your email message is polite and professional and includes all the pertinent information related to your resignation.

You’ll need to specify how much notice you are giving and when your last day of work will be. You should also inquire about the status of employee  benefits you may be entitled to upon termination of employment .

This way, you can leave your job on a positive note. After all, you never know when you’ll need to ask for a  letter of reference  from your former employer. Your boss will be more likely to help you out if your resignation was thoughtful and professional.

Review some advice on writing a professional email resigning from a job, along with examples of email messages to use to quit your job.

Tips for Writing a Resignation Email Message

Again, when you can, an in-person meeting is usually the best way to quit a job unless you work remotely. However, if you need to resign via email, here are some tips for how to do it effectively and leave yourself in good graces:

• Give two weeks' notice.  If possible, give your employer the standard  two weeks' notice when you are going to quit. If  that is impossible , give the employer as much notice as you can. This will help you maintain a good relationship with your former employer.
• Use a clear email subject line.  Use a simple and direct  email subject line , such as “Resignation – Your Name.” This way, your employer will know right away what your message is about. You want them to open and read the email as soon as possible.
• State the date you plan on leaving.  In the email, include the date you plan to leave the company. This will give your employer a clear sense of your timeline.
• Don’t go into details.  You do not need to give details on why you are leaving, or what you will be doing next. If you want to give a short explanation, you can. For example, you might say you are leaving due to family circumstances, a change in your career, or because you are going to graduate school. However, if you are simply leaving for another job, you probably don’t want to mention it. No matter what, keep your explanation brief and positive.
• Express gratitude.  This is a good chance to give thanks for the time you spent at the company. However, if you were unhappy with the company, do not complain or say anything negative in your email. You want to maintain a good relationship with the employer; you never know when your paths will cross again.
• Offer assistance.  If you are able to do so, offer to help the company with the transition. For example, you might offer to train a new employee during your final working days and/or be available to answer questions for a week or two after your departure."
• Ask questions.  This is also an opportunity to ask questions about compensation or benefits, such as where or when you will receive your last paycheck. You should send the email to both your employer and to the human resources office. Human resources will be able to answer these types of questions.
• Provide contact information.  Include any non-company email address or another form of contact information that you want to share, so that your employer can get in touch with you. This is especially important if you are leaving right away.
• Proofread the email before you send it. You want to catch any grammatical and spelling mistakes, of course, so it’s a good idea to proofread your email before you send it. Make sure your tone is neutral or friendly and that you haven’t said anything that could cause problems for you later. You might ask a friend or family member to read it over as well, just to double-check your tone (and to check for any remaining errors).

Review Resignation Email Samples and Templates

It can be helpful to review a few  resignation email samples  before you write your resignation email. These are especially useful if you’re currently feeling emotional about the situation, and want to make sure you use a neutral tone. A sample can help you decide what kind of content you should include, as well as how to format your letter.

Resignation email templates can also be very useful to help you with the layout of your email, such as showing you how to organize different sections of your message. You can also check out some sample email farewell messages to see how you might write an email to your colleagues  announcing that you are leaving .

While email samples and templates are great starting points for your own message, you should always tailor a message to fit your audience and your personal circumstances.

Email Subject Line : Your Name Resignation

Dear Mr./Ms. Lastname,

I write to inform you that I am resigning from my position here as Associate Editor. My last day will be December 3, 2021.

Thank you so much for all of the opportunities this company has provided me. I have learned so much these past three years, and will never forget the kindness of all of my colleagues.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to make this transition easier. You can always contact me at firstname.lastname@email.com or 555-555-5555.

Thank you again for your years of support and encouragement.

Respectfully yours,

Resignation Email Message Example – Personal Reasons

Email Subject Line : Resignation – Your Name

Please accept this message as my formal resignation from Company XYZ. My final day will be March 15, two weeks from today. Family circumstances currently require my full time and attention.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance during this transition.

I am so grateful for my five years at this company, and will look back fondly on the support and kindness I received from management and colleagues.

In the future, you can reach me at my personal email (firstname.lastname@email.com) or on my cell phone (555-555-5555).

Thank you again, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Resignation Email Message Template

Email Subject Line:  Resignation – Your Name

Dear Mr./Ms. Lastname (or another form of address your employer prefers)

First Paragraph

Begin your email by clearly stating that you are resigning and include the date when your resignation is effective. You might very briefly explain why you are resigning as well. For example, you might state that you are leaving for personal reasons, you are returning to school, or you have decided to change your career path. Don’t go into detail if you have a new job, however.

Second Paragraph

This (optional) section of your resignation email message should thank your employer for the opportunities you have had while employed by the company.

Third Paragraph

In this section (also optional), offer to assist with the transition. You might offer something specific, such as training a new employee, or offering to be available via email for a week or two after you leave. Otherwise, just provide a general offer to help.

Closing Paragraph

Conclude by providing your non-work contact information so that you can stay in touch with your employer after you leave. You can either put this in your final paragraph, or include it in your email signature.

Respectfully yours/Sincerely/Best,

• Email Letter of Resignation Sample
• Resignation Email With Two Weeks Notice
• Resignation Email Message Format

Review even more examples of the best resignation letters and email messages for a variety of circumstances. There are templates and samples that will work to provide formal notice when you are quitting your job.

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U.K. Home Secretary Stirs Political Storm After Writing Article Attacking the Police

The future of Suella Braverman hung in the balance after she wrote an incendiary opinion article. Downing Street said the piece was unauthorized.

By Stephen Castle

Reporting from London

One of Britain’s most senior cabinet ministers, Suella Braverman, has triggered political turmoil by writing a newspaper article that attacked the country’s largest police force over its approach to a pro-Palestinian protest, and implicitly challenged the authority of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Ms. Braverman, the home secretary responsible for law enforcement, immigration and national security, has long been a divisive figure at the heart of the governing Conservative Party, whose provocative rhetoric has won support on the hard right while alienating more moderate colleagues.

On Thursday, there were calls for her resignation after she wrote an opinion piece for The Times of London that accused the city’s main police force of bias in its reluctance to ban a pro-Palestinian protest march scheduled for the weekend.

She also described the tens of thousands of people who have attended regular Saturday protests in London in support of Palestinians as “hate marchers,” “Islamists” and “mobs,” despite the fact that the demonstrations have been mostly peaceful.

The marches were not “merely a cry for help for Gaza,” she wrote, but “an assertion of primacy by certain groups — particularly Islamists — of the kind we are more used to seeing in Northern Ireland.”

The reference to Northern Ireland, making rhetorical use of sectarian tensions in a region where efforts to restore a power-sharing government have so far failed, also provoked anger.

The article was published without the prime minister’s authorization, a spokesman for Mr. Sunak said.

The article has created a dilemma for Mr. Sunak, who on Thursday appeared to be weighing whether to keep his disruptive home secretary in her job. He is already grappling with a stubborn double-digit deficit in the polls, a stagnant economy and a restive party that senses its 13-year grip on power is slipping. Ms. Braverman is viewed as a possible candidate to replace Mr. Sunak as party leader if he fails to win a looming general election next year, and could be a dangerous critic if she loses her job.

The opinion piece centered on a pro-Palestinian march scheduled to take place in London on Saturday, which will coincide with Armistice Day, when Britain commemorates those who fought in World War I and subsequent conflicts. Ms. Braverman and Mr. Sunak had previously called for the march to be banned, with the prime minister describing its timing as “provocative and disrespectful.”

But on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Sunak won assurances from the police that all possible steps would be taken to prevent disorder, and he issued a statement confirming the right to peaceful protest and pledging to “remain true to our principles.”

Within hours, the article by Ms. Braverman appeared to undermine his stance.

Political analysts said there was little mystery about the motives of Ms. Braverman, who ran unsuccessfully for the Conservative Party leadership last year.

“She seems to be absolutely addicted to making headlines,” said Jill Rutter, a former senior British civil servant senior research fellow at U.K. in a Changing Europe, a research institute. “She just seems to be trying to push the envelope as to how far she can go.”

One school of thought was that Ms. Braverman was goading Mr. Sunak to fire her in order to become a “martyr of the right,” Ms. Rutter said, adding: “Almost all of this is positioning for future leadership battles, and she’s been doing that for quite some time, and sees herself probably in poll position to lead the Conservatives after the next election.”

On Thursday morning, Downing Street said Mr. Sunak had confidence in Ms. Braverman but that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the article’s publication.

Under British law, the police can only apply to ban a protest if there is a risk of serious public disorder. In this case, Britain’s most senior police officer had said the potential for disorder did not meet the threshold, though he noted that could change.

Adam Wagner, a lawyer and expert on protest law, said that if the police had tried to ban Saturday’s march without sufficient evidence, they could have been challenged in the courts and most likely would have lost.

Yvette Cooper, a lawmaker who speaks on home affairs for the opposition Labour Party, told Parliament on Thursday that Ms. Braverman was “deliberately undermining respect for the police” and inflaming community tensions. She described Ms. Braverman’s comments as “highly irresponsible and dangerous.” Bob Neill, a Conservative Party lawmaker, told Times Radio that Ms. Braverman had “got it badly wrong.”

Ms. Braverman has a track record of using divisive language and has embraced several hard-right tropes in past statements, describing mass migration as a “hurricane,” the arrival of asylum seekers on the British coast in small boats as an “invasion” and homelessness as a “lifestyle choice.” Last weekend, she suggested imposing restrictions on charities who offer tents to those living on the streets.

For Mr. Sunak, managing Ms. Braverman’s political pyrotechnics presents difficulties because of her popularity on the right of the Conservative Party, which has little love for him.

Her support helped ensure Mr. Sunak became prime minister last year in the chaotic aftermath of Liz Truss’s disastrous tenure in Downing Street.

David Gauke, a former Conservative cabinet minister and the author of “The Case for the Centre Right,” said Ms. Braverman was not deliberately goading Mr. Sunak to fire her, but that she would not be worried about that prospect.

“I think she wants to be the candidate of the right if the Conservatives lose the next election,” Mr. Gauke said. “I don’t think she deliberately wants to be fired — it’s about raising her profile. Though I think she would rather be fired than resign.”

Complicating things further, Mr. Sunak seems to agree with Ms. Braverman on the substance of several of her main policies, including a contentious plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. With his party trailing badly in opinion polls, he has promoted several socially conservative issues in an apparent attempt to galvanize right-wing voters.

Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London, said that Ms. Braverman’s comments might, in fact, damage her future leadership prospects by raising questions about her reliability with those on the party’s right.

In the meantime, she remains an acute problem for Mr. Sunak, as he struggles to decide how much heckling from the sidelines to tolerate.

“She was always a bit of a loose cannon, but she seems to be firing off in all directions,” Professor Bale said. “I think it’s beginning to look like a deliberate challenge to his authority.”

Stephen Castle is London correspondent, writing widely about Britain, including the country’s politics and relationship with Europe. More about Stephen Castle

Divisions over US support for Israel deepen at State Department

Posted: November 9, 2023 | Last updated: November 9, 2023

Israel’s war against Hamas is deepening divisions among nonpartisan American government officials, who are raising alarm that the Biden administration’s ironclad commitment to Israel is failing to take into account key issues of concern. 

Letters and memos of dissent are circulating among State Department staff. The documents are described as being led by early- and mid-career officials staking out a position that puts them at odds with senior leaders. 

President Biden has rallied behind Israel’s right to defend itself following the brutal Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, that killed 1,400 people. More than 240 other people were kidnapped by Hamas and taken back to Gaza as hostages.

But the exorbitant death toll in Gaza, where an estimated 10,000 people have been killed, combined with the fast-track shipment of U.S. weapons to Israel, are weighing heavily on U.S. diplomats. 

Josh Paul resigned Oct. 18 from his position at the State Department, where he worked on arms transfers to Israel. He said others at State have reached out to him since his resignation.

“I’m hearing essentially two strands of argument, or of concern,” Paul said in a call with The Hill. “One is, what you might call a moral stand — where people joined government to do good, and they don’t like facilitating the massive death of civilians, and they don’t like when there is no space for policy debate about these basic human rights issues.”

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The other argument Paul said he’s hearing is concern that the Biden administration’s approach toward Israel is isolating the U.S. in the region and undermining America’s position on the global stage. 

“The current policy approach is having massively negative consequences for the U.S. foreign policy, both in terms of our relationships in the Middle East and more broadly in terms of our strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China,” he said.

The president of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union representing the State Department’s Foreign Service members, said employees are caught in a difficult situation. 

“We know it’s a fraught issue; we know there’s a lot of emotions involved. No one can be unmoved seeing those images every night on the evening news, and we know that,” said Tom Yazdgerdi, the AFSA president.  

These diplomats are tasked with weighing the hard choices of what is necessary for U.S. national security versus what, if any, potential collateral damage may occur.  

Yazdgerdi said that State Department leadership, and separately AFSA, have met with employee organizations to make sure “they’re being supported” and heard.  

“Arab Americans in Foreign Affairs Agencies, American Muslims and Friends at State, Jewish Americans in Diplomacy, these are all employee organizations that we have met with or will meet to make sure they’re being supported, because obviously what’s happening in Israel and Gaza has domestic implications here. People feel unsafe, they feel maybe that they’re not being listened to,” he said.  

“Of course, we endorse the opportunity for these groups to be heard. From what we’ve gathered, they’ve had meetings with senior leadership, including the secretary, which is a positive development,” he said.

The Biden administration has been walking a fine line, calling for humanitarian or tactical pauses that it hopes will preserve Israel’s ability to carry out its military targeting of Hamas and allow an avenue to try and protect civilians. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following a trip to Israel, said Wednesday: “We believe there are additional steps that can and should be taken to try to minimize civilian casualties.”

But staff members are increasingly making their dissent known.

Hundreds of staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development anonymously signed an open letter to Biden calling for an immediate cease-fire and cessation of hostilities, Foreign Policy reported .

And some State Department staff are pushing for the Biden administration to support a cease-fire and strike a more forceful tone with the Israelis in public, including criticism of Israeli military tactics and treatment of Palestinians, according to at least one  draft dissent memo  obtained by Politico.

Dissent channel memos are considered sacrosanct in the State Department and are supposed to remain private. The channel allows staff at any level to raise concerns to senior officials, in particular the secretary of State, on opposing views to administration policy.

It’s always controversial if such memos become public, as their release, some say, can have a chilling effect on staff feeling comfortable to raise opposition to administration policy for fear of retribution.

Ben Fishman, who served on the National Security Council during the Obama administration, said the criticisms he’s hearing from State Department staff about the administration’s policy is “a general concern that the administration is not sufficiently addressing Palestinian, specifically civilian Gazan’s concerns.”

Fishman, now a senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said he didn’t view the recommendations in the leaked dissent memo as representing a mutiny among State Department staff.  

“The truth is, most people I think are reasonable and they understand the basis of this administration’s policy. And maybe they’re disappointed,” he said. 

“The bottom line is that the uglier the war gets — it will most likely be ugly, not better — you’ll probably see more voices like this. Hopefully we’ll see a change in the direction of the war, but that’s not my expectation.”

While the U.S. position toward Israel is generally shared by Western and democratic governments, Arab and Gulf nations are challenging the U.S. to push Israel to accept a cease-fire and are accusing Israel of war crimes.

The United Nations General Assembly late last month passed a resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. and 13 other nations voted against the resolution for failing to condemn Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack; 45 countries abstained. 

In Paul’s resignation letter, he cited opposition to the surge in military support to Israel, criticizing the administration and lawmakers in Congress as acting on “an impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia.”

Paul’s position in the State Department was to review and sign off on weapons transfers in line with administration policy, a process he said filtered through 20,000 arms transfer requests per year, and that could be boiled down to a “no; yes; or yes, but.”

What prompted his resignation, Paul said, was that “there was no debate” on the weapons transfers to Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. 

The administration has not identified what specifically it has sent to Israel, saying it is at least air defense supplies, munitions, armor and rifles. 

Biden officials say they expect Israel to carry out its strikes within the bounds of international humanitarian law, and that there’s a legal debate surrounding how justified military actions are in neutralizing threats compared to the potential for civilian casualties. 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), in a briefing with reporters Oct. 26, said he was not “ready to acknowledge that there is a misuse of weapons” on the part of Israel, and criticized Hamas as using civilians as human shields.  

“We know they’re doing everything they possibly can to make it more difficult for Israel to accomplish its military objectives by putting innocent civilians in harm’s way. That’s their objective.”

But there’s growing divisions among Biden’s most ardent supporters in the Senate.

A group of 26 Democratic senators sent a letter to the president Wednesday asking for more information on how Israel is working to mitigate civilian casualties.

“We respectfully ask your team to provide us with information relative to these two clear U.S. priorities: supporting an Israeli strategy that will effectively degrade and defeat the threat from Hamas and taking all possible measures to protect civilians in Gaza,” the senators wrote. 

Updated at 7:35 a.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

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How to Write a Resignation Letter

Last Updated: September 28, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM . Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 116 testimonials and 82% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 15,484,416 times.

One of the greatest secrets of success is knowing when to move on. With the right resignation letter, you will do so with satisfaction while leaving on good terms with your previous employer. Though you may think it would feel great to get a few things off your chest about how much you've come to hate the company you work for, it's in your best interest to be kind, polite, and helpful, so your professional future remains secure. If you want to know how to write a resignation with class, see Step 1 to get started.

Sample Resignation Letters

Writing a Resignation Letter

• Of course, if things happen to be more formal at your company and you normally call your boss "Mr. Jones," then you should stick to that in the letter — in that case, suddenly getting familiar would be strange.
• If your letter is typed on paper instead of email, just write the date at the top lefthand side, with your boss's name and address written below it.

• "I hereby submit my resignation as [your position here.]"
• "Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [your position here]."
• "It is with regret that I submit my letter of resignation as [your position here]."

• "I hereby submit my resignation as [your position here] effective on July 12, 2014."
• "Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [your position here]. My last day of employment will be July 12, 2014."
• "It is with regret that I submit my letter of resignation as [your position here]. I intend to work until the end of the month, with my last day being July 31, 2014."

• "I was recently offered a new opportunity at a different company, and have decided to accept the offer."
• "I received an offer to serve as [position here] of a company that suits my needs, and after careful consideration, I've realized that this opportunity is the right path for me."
• "I would like to inform you that I will be retiring on April 3."
• "After much thought and consideration, I have decided not to return after maternity leave."
• "I have decided to resign for personal reasons."

• "I would be happy to help with the transition of my duties so that the company continues to function smoothly after my departure. I am available to help recruit as well as train my replacement."

• "I can't thank you enough for all of the experience and confidence my position has given me."
• "I want to give you my sincere thanks for all of the opportunities you have given me and for all of the knowledge I have gained at your company over the years."
• "I'll always be grateful to you for going above and beyond to ensure my success at my position."

• If you really do have a close relationship with your boss, you can go the extra mile to make this clear by ending by saying something like, "I'll never forget how much you've helped me over the years, and will always be grateful to you" or, "I never would have been able to secure this new position without all of your help and encouragement over the years."

Being Savvy

• Just remember that this letter will go in your personnel file and will be available any time a future employer calls the company asking about you; you don't want a negative letter to have an adverse effect on your future.

• Resignation over email is becoming more common than ever in today's tech savvy society, though you should have a sense of workplace etiquette when you decide the best path to take.
• With the mass transition to email for a lot of work correspondence, it's become common for resignation letters to have become a bit shorter than they used to be. Now, just 5-6 sentences can do the tricks instead of several detailed paragraphs.

• Once you turn in the letter, there's no taking back anything you said. Make sure that it's something you're proud of, not a way to get back at your boss.

Expert Q&A

Video . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

• Be specific about using words such as: Resignation, notice period, last day of work. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
• Do not spread distrust before or after your resignation. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
• Wish them all the best; then keep a small door opened for you in future. It actually helps. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 4

• Remember, the company and its employees could potentially play a role in your career or job search in the future. It is a very small world. Never burn bridges. Thanks Helpful 167 Not Helpful 47
• Do not give specific reasons for leaving. State that you have decided to move because of a career opportunity that is too good to pass up. Thanks Helpful 140 Not Helpful 56
• Check your company termination policy. (Many companies require a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice for resignations.) Otherwise, their policy may be to never consider you again for a position. In your resignation letter, be sure to note the current day somewhere in the header as well as your final day in the body of the letter. Thanks Helpful 123 Not Helpful 49
• Keep in mind that the minute you submit your resignation letter, you could be told to pack your stuff and leave by the end of the day. Do not rely on your two week notice for job hunting: do it before your resignation. Thanks Helpful 126 Not Helpful 51
• Keep emotion out of the letter. Avoid the temptation to tell off your boss or any of your co-workers; put-downs will most certainly reflect poorly on you and you may later regret it. Thanks Helpful 119 Not Helpful 52
• Your letter of resignation is documentation and will likely be added to your personnel file: be very thoughtful about what you place in that document. Do not use slang or foul language. Thanks Helpful 113 Not Helpful 53
• Your letter of resignation could be used against you in court if it ever comes to that. Thanks Helpful 115 Not Helpful 56

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-write-effective-resignation-letter
• ↑ Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 May 2021.
• ↑ https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704657304575540143127402012
• ↑ https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/crafting-a-classy-resignation-letter

About This Article

To write a resignation letter, start by clearly stating your intention of resigning and when your last day will be—you could write something like “I hereby submit my resignation as store manager. My last day of employment will be July, 12, 2018.” After that, write 1 or 2 paragraphs explaining why you’re leaving and how you plan to make your exit from the company as smooth as possible. Finish your resignation letter by thanking your employer for the opportunity. To learn how to send a resignation letter after you write it, read the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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