How to write a resignation letter in the UK (free template)

Do I need to resign in writing?

The law does not require a particular form. GOV.UK says your contract will tell you whether notice must be in writing; otherwise you can resign verbally.

GOV.UK still recommends written notice if you think you may need to refer to it later, for example at an employment tribunal. A short letter or email gives you a dated record of the day you resigned and the last day you gave.

How much notice do I have to give?

Your situation	Notice you must give
In your first month	None set by law: check your contract
Employee with 1 month’s service or more, contract silent	At least 1 week ERA 1996, s.86(2)
Contract gives a longer period	The contract period
Contract gives less than 1 week	Still at least 1 week s.86(3)

Unlike your employer’s notice to you, the legal minimum you must give does not grow with your length of service. It stays at 1 week. Your contract may set a longer period, such as one month.

The legal minimum is for employees. If you are a worker but not an employee, check your contract for the notice you must give.

You and your employer can agree to a shorter notice period. If you leave without giving the notice due, GOV.UK warns that you may be in breach of contract.

When does my notice start?

GOV.UK says your notice period usually runs from the start of the day after you hand it in. Acas says the same where the contract does not say otherwise. Your contract may set its own rule, so check it.

That gives these last days:

You hand it in	Notice	Last day of employment
Monday 19 October 2026, by hand	1 week (contract silent)	Monday 26 October 2026
31 January 2026, by hand	1 month (contract)	28 February 2026
Posted on 19 October 2026, estimated to arrive Monday 26 October 2026	4 weeks (contract)	Monday 23 November 2026

Two points of care:

• Months. If the notice is in months, it ends on the same date of the month, or on the last day of the month if that date does not exist.
• Post. By post, your notice starts only when your employer gets the letter. The free letter tool estimates arrival 5 days after posting, moved to the next working day. If it arrives later, your last day moves later too.

When two readings of a date are possible, the tool takes the later last day, so that your notice is never too short. It is safest to hand the letter in or email it, so the start date is clear.

What to include in a resignation letter

• Your name and address, the date, and your employer’s name and address.
• A clear statement that you are resigning, and from which job.
• Your notice period and your last day of employment.
• A request to confirm your last day and to say what your final pay will include, including holiday built up but not taken.
• A request for your P45 after you leave.
• If useful, a list of items you will return.
• Your signature.

There is no need to give a reason. If you want to thank your employer, one line is enough.

Free resignation letter template

[Your name] [Your address]

[Date]

[Name and job title of the person you are writing to] [Employer’s legal name] [Employer’s address]

Dear [Name],

Resignation

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title].

My notice period is [1 week / 1 month / as set out in my contract of employment]. My last day of employment will be [date].

Please confirm my last day of employment, and let me know what my final pay will include, including payment for any holiday I have built up but not taken by my last day. Please also send me my P45 after my employment ends.

[Optional: I will return the following items on or before my last day: laptop, security pass. Please let me know who I should give them to.]

Please confirm that you have received this letter.

Yours sincerely,

[Signature] [Your name]

Use “Yours sincerely” when you write to a named person, and “Yours faithfully” after “Dear Sir or Madam”. The resignation letter tool fills this in, works out your last day, and gives you a clean copy to sign. It is free.

How to hand it in

• By hand: bring two copies, and ask the person who receives it to sign and date yours.
• By email: attach the signed letter and keep the sent email.
• By post: use a service with a signature on delivery, and allow for the later start date.

Keep a copy of the letter and of your contract.

Can my employer ask me to leave straight away?

Yes, your employer can ask you to leave immediately after you hand in your notice. GOV.UK says you can only get pay in lieu of notice if it is in your contract or you agree to it. Your employer may instead put you on garden leave: you stay employed until your last day, with the same pay and contractual benefits.

The pay in lieu of notice guide explains how much it should be and how it is taxed.

What should be in my final pay?

Your final pay usually comes on your normal payday. It should include:

• your pay up to your last day;
• pay for holiday built up but not taken. GOV.UK says leaving is the only time you can be paid instead of taking statutory leave;
• any other sums due under your contract.

If you have taken more holiday than you had built up, your employer must not take money from your final pay for it unless you agreed to that in writing beforehand.

The guide on calculating holiday pay when you leave shows how the amount is worked out. If your hours vary or you are on a zero-hours contract, see rolled-up and zero-hours holiday pay.

Resigning because of something your employer did

If you are thinking of resigning because of something serious your employer did, get advice before you send any letter. Resigning can affect your rights, and whether you could claim “constructive dismissal” depends on the facts. Acas (0300 123 1122) and Citizens Advice can help.

The free letter tool shows this warning and asks you to confirm before producing a letter. The letter itself gives no reason.

Northern Ireland

This guide covers England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own legislation. See nidirect.

Next steps

1. Prepare your letter, free. The resignation letter works out your notice and last day, and gives you a clean copy to sign and a sending checklist.
2. Check your final pay, free. After your last day, the final pay checker compares your final payslip with what was due: wages, notice and holiday.
3. If something is missing. You can prepare a final pay claim letter yourself (£9, or £19 with follow-up). The grievance letter guide explains the other route. Acas, Citizens Advice or a trade union can also help.