UK resignation letter (notice period)

Before you send it

• Read your written statement or contract for the notice you must give. Use the longer of the statutory week and the contract.
• Send dated written notice (email is usually enough if that is how you normally write to HR). Keep a copy.
• Statutory notice your employer must give you when they dismiss you is a different, longer scale — up to twelve weeks. Do not mix the two.
• You are due pay for notice you work, or pay in lieu if the employer agrees PILON (taxed as earnings). Accrued unused holiday is paid with final pay and is taxable.
• If you claim Universal Credit, report the last working day and final pay in your journal. Full explainer: notice period pay on Money Guide.
• This template is not for constructive dismissal, settlement agreements or redundancies — get ACAS or a solicitor if that is your situation.

The template

Square brackets mark fields to replace with your own details.

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Postcode]
[Date]

[Manager name]
[Employer name]
[Employer address]

Resignation — notice under my contract / Employment Rights Act 1996 s.86

Dear [Manager name],

I am writing to resign from my role as [job title] with [employer name].

I have been continuously employed since [start date]. My contract requires [X weeks/months]’ notice. The statutory minimum I must give after one month’s service is one week. I am giving [the longer period]’ notice.

My last working day will therefore be [date].

Please confirm:
 - the last working day and any remaining shifts or handover
 - whether I am required to work my notice, take garden leave, or will receive pay in lieu of notice
 - accrued but unused holiday that will be paid in my final wages
 - how and when I will receive my P45, final payslip, and pension information

I will return [laptop / pass / keys / phone] on [date or last day]. Please confirm the address or person I should hand them to.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your printed name]
[Employee number if you have one]