The following guide provides a review of key questions and considerations you may have when completing a resignation letter.

What is included in a resignation letter?

The letter officially notifies your company or organization that you are quitting your position. Besides providing this notice, you have some flexibility as to what other details are included. These could include the following:

• The reason why you are leaving
• The last day you plan on working
• Thanking them for their support and the opportunity to work with them
• Highlighting valuable experiences you have had working with them
• Offering to assist with finding and training your replacement
• Providing your contact details in case they need to reach you after your departure

When should I send the letter?

This is normally at least two to four weeks after you tender your resignation. However, unless you have an employment contract requiring a certain amount of notice, whether or not you provide advance notice and how much notice you provide is completely up to you. Providing two to four weeks is traditionally done out of courtesy in order to give your organization time to find and train your replacement. In some cases, your employer or supervisor may want you to leave immediately upon receiving your letter of resignation. If you are unsure what their reaction might be, consider asking your co-workers about how your organization has reacted in the past.

How should I send the letter?

You can mail the letter, email the letter, or give it to your organization in person. If you want to preserve a record of when you sent the letter, then email or certified mail are best.

Can I include complaints?

Yes. If you are leaving due to a complaint you have with the company, then you can choose to notify your organization of your specific reasons. For instance, you may have experienced discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, threats, a hostile work environment, an unhealthy or unsanitary work environment, or other issues. If you plan on making a legal claim against the organization, such as for discrimination or sexual harassment, then it is recommended that you discuss your situation with an attorney to determine your best course of action.

Keep in mind that you may want to use your organization for job recommendations in the future. If so, you should think twice before burning any bridges.

Do I have to give a reason for leaving?

No. You do not have to provide a reason as to why you are leaving. If you do choose to provide one, common reasons include to start a new job, to pursue another professional opportunity, to retire, to move, to attend school, for personal reasons, and due to one or more complaints you have with your organization.

Do I need to provide notice to my employer before resigning?

Generally, you are not required to provide advance notice before terminating your employment because most states in the United States are at-will employment states. However, the terms of your employment contract or employment policies may have notice requirements. It is advisable to carefully review your employment documents to determine your notice obligations before resigning.

Ready To Get Started? Create Your Letter of Resignation

Step 1: Gather Information

As you prepare to complete your letter, take time to consider when your last day working in your position will likely be and to gather any additional details you may wish to include in your letter. If you are unsure of the date of your last day of work, you can opt to not specify this in the letter.

Step 2: Answer Key Questions

Complete our questionnaire to quickly customize your own resignation letter. Our advanced document-building technology will remove any guesswork, simplifying the process and guiding you each step of the way.

Step 3: Review Your Letter

Once you have completed the questionnaire, be sure to read your letter to make sure that it meets your needs and expectations. You can make any specific textual changes needed by downloading your letter and opening it in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

You can also print and sign your letter above your printed name in the signature line, but this step is optional.

Step 4: Send the Letter

You can send your letter by mail or email or deliver it in person. If you think that you may need to preserve evidence of when the letter was sent, then using certified mail or email is your best option.

Step 5: Follow Up as Needed

Discuss any next steps with your employer or supervisor. This could include an exit interview for you to provide feedback, finding and training your replacement, and conducting a knowledge transfer of important information about your position that you think should be brought to the organization’s attention. Also inquire when your last day will be if you are unsure.

Step 6: Complete Additional Documents

If you will be looking for a new job, keep LegalNature in mind for any letter of recommendation, employment agreement, consulting services agreement, or other legal documents that you may need.

Ready To Get Started? Create Your Letter of Resignation