Two weeks' notice: letter, email and what to say

Giving two weeks' notice is one conversation, one short document and ten working days of tidying up. Most of the stress comes from not knowing what to say, so this guide gives you the words: what to say to your manager, a letter and email you can copy, what to say if you are told to leave today, and a plan for the last two weeks.

If you want more letter templates for other situations, such as one month's notice, a move or retirement, resignation letter: how to write one, with templates has 20. This guide is about the process around the letter.

Names, companies and dates in the examples are made up. Replace anything in square brackets.

What two weeks' notice means

Two weeks is a convention in many US workplaces. It gives the employer time to cover your work and gives you a clean exit. In other places notice is a contract term, and some contracts ask for much more.

• Your contract or offer letter may set a different length: a week, a month, three months or more for senior roles.
• Some contracts shorten notice during an initial or probationary period.
• In some countries notice is set by law and grows with your length of service.
• In many US jobs, which are at-will, there is usually no legal requirement to give notice, though your contract can add one.

Counting the days

"Two weeks" can mean ten working days or fourteen calendar days, and it can start on the day you tell them or the day after. Ask which your employer uses, then write the full date in your letter so there is nothing to interpret.

In the table, the day you give notice counts as day one of the ten working days. If your handbook counts from the next day, the dates shift by one working day. A public holiday inside the period can move things again, so confirm the last day with HR in writing.

Put in the day you give notice and your notice length to see the last day under each way of counting.

Notice date calculator

Day you give notice

Notice length

daysweeksmonths

Count notice in

Working days (Monday to Friday)Calendar days (every day)

Day one is

The day after you give noticeThe day you give notice

Choose the day you give notice.

Public holidays and days off are not removed, and employers count notice in different ways. Your contract or employee handbook decides your last day, so confirm the date with HR in writing.

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Who to tell first, and when

The order matters more than the wording. A manager who hears it second-hand feels bypassed, whatever you say afterward.

1. 1

   Have it settled

   A written offer, or a decision you are sure of. Check your contract.

2. 2

   Tell your manager

   Privately, in person or on a call, before anyone else.

3. 3

   Send it in writing

   A short letter or email the same day, copying HR if required.

4. 4

   Agree who hears what

   Ask your manager how and when the team and clients are told.

5. 5

   Tell the team

   After your manager agrees, in person if you can.

6. 6

   Tell clients

   Only when the plan says so, and with a name for who takes over.

A few practical points about timing:

• Ask for the meeting in advance with a neutral line, such as "Do you have ten minutes today? I would like to talk about something." Do not tell a manager in a corridor.
• Choose a time when your manager is not about to start a meeting, a shift rush or a deadline.
• If you work shifts, tell your manager before the next schedule is posted, so they do not build a roster around you.
• Take personal items home gradually in the days before, and copy your own pay statements, benefit documents and performance reviews if the system lets you. Access can end the same day.
• If your manager is the problem, or is unavailable, go to HR or the next level up. Say you tried to reach your manager.

If you have an offer and have not yet negotiated, do that before you resign: how to negotiate salary covers the offer stage.

Telling clients and outside contacts

If you deal with customers, suppliers or patients' families, your manager decides when and how they are told, and often wants to do it themselves or approve your message first. Do not send this before they agree. The aim is to give the client a name and a date, and a reason to feel looked after.

Email: telling a client (after your manager agrees)

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To

[Client's name]

Subject

A change in who looks after your account

Hello [Client's name],

I wanted you to hear this from me. My last day at [company] will be [date], and from [date] [colleague's name] will be your main contact for [account or service].

[Colleague] has been working with me on [project or account] and has the history and the open items. I have copied them here so that you have their details.

It has been a pleasure working with you on [one specific thing]. Thank you for your trust.

Best wishes,

[Your name]

What to say in the conversation

You can say what you need to say in two sentences, then let the conversation go where it needs to. These scripts are examples to adapt, so use your own words.

The standard conversation

• You

  Do you have ten minutes? I wanted to talk to you about something.

• Manager

  Sure, come in.

• You

  I have decided to resign. My last day will be Friday, March 12, which is ten working days from today.

• Manager

  Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Can I ask what's behind it?

• You

  I have accepted a role elsewhere, and I am looking forward to it. I want to make the next two weeks as smooth as I can.

• Manager

  Thank you for telling me directly. What do you need from me?

• You

  I will write a handover plan and have a draft to you by Wednesday. Could we talk about who should hear this, and when?

When they ask where you are going or why

You may answer, or not. A short, calm line works in both directions.

• Manager

  Where are you headed?

• You

  I would rather not say for now. It is a role in logistics that fits where I want to go, and I will share more once I have started.

• Manager

  Is it the pay? We could talk about that.

• You

  It is about the direction I want to take. I am grateful for what I learned here, and I would like to spend my notice making the handover as easy as I can.

When the reaction is unhappy

• Manager

  This is really bad timing. We're short as it is.

• You

  I know, and I am sorry about the timing. That is why I wanted to tell you today. What would be most useful for me to finish before I go?

• Manager

  Honestly, I need to think about it.

• You

  Of course. I will send the written notice this afternoon so you have the date, and we can talk again tomorrow once you have had time.

In a shift-based job

In a kitchen, a shop or a care home, the person you tell is often the shift lead, and the conversation is shorter.

• You

  Chef, can I grab five minutes before service?

• Manager

  Sure, what's up?

• You

  I am giving two weeks. My last shift is Saturday the 13th. I will cover the shifts I am rostered on, and I can train whoever is coming in on the grill station.

• Manager

  Okay. I appreciate you saying it to my face. Put it in writing and I will pass it to the owner.

• You

  I will send a short email tonight.

The two weeks' notice letter

Send the letter the same day as the conversation, and never in place of it. A page is the ceiling and a third of a page is typical. Use a business layout for a printed or PDF letter.

Two weeks' notice letter

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[Date]

Dear [Manager's name],

Following our conversation today, this letter confirms that I am resigning from my position as [job title] at [company]. My last working day will be [date, two weeks from today].

I want the next two weeks to be as useful as possible. I will [finish open work], keep my handover notes up to date and make myself available to train whoever covers my responsibilities. If you would like me to prioritize anything, please tell me.

Thank you for [one specific thing: the training, the flexibility, the team]. I have valued working here.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

The letter above is the plain version. For other lengths and situations, such as a month's notice, relocating, retiring or leaving without notice, use the resignation letter templates.

The email version, with subject lines

Email is fine in nearly every office job, and often it is required so that HR has a record. Pick a subject line that says what the email is. Nobody should have to open it to learn that it is a resignation.

After you have spoken in person

Email: confirming a conversation

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To

[Manager's name]

Subject

Resignation: [Your name]

Hi [Manager's name],

Thank you for making time to talk this morning. As we discussed, I am resigning from my position as [job title], and my last working day will be [date].

I will send you a handover plan by [date]. Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to prioritize.

Thank you for [one specific thing]. I have appreciated working with you.

[Your name]

When you cannot speak first

If you work remotely across time zones, your manager is on leave or you cannot get a meeting, a clear email is better than waiting. Ask for a call in the message.

Email: when you cannot speak first

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To

[Manager's name], cc [HR contact]

Subject

Notice of resignation: [Your name], [Job title]

Dear [Manager's name],

I am writing to give notice of my resignation from my position as [job title]. My last working day will be [date, two weeks from today].

I would have preferred to tell you in person and would be glad to talk by phone or video at any time that suits you. I have copied [HR contact] so that the formal process can begin.

I will prepare a handover plan and share it by [date]. Thank you for the opportunity to work here.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

In a scheduling app or team chat

Some workplaces run on a scheduling app or a chat channel. Say it out loud first if you can, then put the same facts in the place your employer uses.

Message: scheduling app or team chat

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Hi [Manager's name], following our conversation, this is my formal notice. I am resigning from my role as [job title], and my last scheduled shift is [date]. Please take me off the schedule from [date after]. I will cover my rostered shifts until then and can train the new hire if that helps. Thank you for the flexibility. [Your name]

What if you are asked to leave early?

Some employers end the notice period the day you give it and ask you to leave that day. It can be routine in roles with access to client data, sales accounts or systems, and it is a standard procedure with no judgment attached. It can still be a shock, so know in advance what to ask.

What happens next depends on your contract and local rules. The questions are the same everywhere:

1. What is my last day of employment?
2. Will I be paid through the end of the notice period I gave, and how?
3. How will unused leave, any bonus and my benefits be handled?
4. Where should my final pay, tax documents and any remaining belongings be sent?

• Manager

  Thank you for the notice. For security reasons, we think it is best if today is your last day. IT will deactivate your access this afternoon.

• You

  I understand. Could you confirm in writing the date my employment ends, whether I will be paid through the end of my two weeks, and how my unused leave and benefits will be handled?

• Manager

  HR will send that over today.

• You

  Thank you. I have a short handover note ready, so I will leave it with you before I go.

Then follow up in writing the same day, so you have a record.

Email: following up when notice is cut short

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To

[HR contact]

Subject

Confirming my last day and final pay

Hello [HR contact],

Thank you for your help today. To confirm what we discussed: I gave two weeks' notice on [date], and I understand my last day of employment will be [date].

Could you please confirm in writing:

• whether I will be paid through [the end of the notice period I gave],
• how my unused leave will be handled, and
• the date my benefits end and what I need to do about them.

Please also tell me where my final pay and tax documents will be sent.

Thank you,

[Your name]

If an employer ends your notice early, whether you are owed pay for the days you would have worked depends on your contract and the rules where you live. In some places an employer who sends you home must still pay out the notice, and in others it does not. If the answer is unclear or you are not paid, a local labor office, a union or an employment advice service can tell you where you stand.

A UK term worth knowing is garden leave, where you stay employed, usually on pay, but are told not to work during your notice. Whether it applies to you is a contract question.

When your notice and your start date do not match

Your contract may say one month, and your new employer may want you in three weeks. Or your notice is two weeks, and the new start date is the day after. These mismatches are common and fixable if you raise them early.

There are three levers: your current employer releasing you sooner, your new employer starting you later, and a plan for the gap if neither moves. Ask the employer you are leaving first, and bring a handover plan so the request is easy to say yes to.

• You

  I wanted to ask about my last day. My contract says one month, and my new employer would like me to start on the 29th, which is about three weeks from now. Is there any flexibility on my notice?

• Manager

  I would need to check with HR, and it depends on the handover. What would you propose?

• You

  I can finish the stock audit and hand over my suppliers in three weeks. I will write the plan this week, and I can answer questions by email for a short time afterward.

• Manager

  Let me see what I can do. Send me the plan and I will take it to HR.

If your current employer will not release you, talk to the new one before you promise anything. A later start date is a normal thing to ask for, and it is better to ask before you sign anything final.

Email: asking a new employer for a later start

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To

[Hiring manager's name]

Subject

Start date and my notice period

Hello [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you again for the offer. My contract with [current employer] requires [length] of notice, and I would like to honor it so that I leave on good terms.

That means I could start on [date]. If an earlier date is important for the team, I will ask whether my employer can release me sooner, and I will tell you what they say.

Thank you for your flexibility.

Best,

[Your name]

Plan the two weeks

The best use of notice is a handover that someone can use. The people who do it well leave a short, specific document and a clear path to anyone who might need to call.

1. Day 1

   Tell your manager, send the letter and agree who is told what. Ask what your manager wants finished and what can be passed on.

2. Day 2

   List everything you own: projects, recurring tasks, accounts, contacts, files and anything that only you know how to do.

3. Days 3 and 4

   Start the handover note. Tidy files and rename them so a stranger can find them. Finish the quick wins.

4. Day 5

   Share a draft handover with your manager and agree who needs training, and when.

5. Days 6 to 8

   Train, shadow and introduce contacts. Finish what you can and flag what you cannot. Update the note after each session.

6. Day 9

   Final answers to open questions, clean up your files and confirm with HR what you need to return and sign.

7. Day 10

   Your last day. Return everything, say goodbye and send your note.

Divide your time on purpose, because the days fill up with questions and the handover is the first thing to slip. This split is a rule of thumb for an office role, so adjust it for yours.

30%

30%

25%

15%

• Handover document. Writing it, then updating it as questions come in.
• Training and introductions. Walking someone through the work, in person.
• Finishing current work. The things you can close before you go.
• Admin and goodbyes. HR paperwork, returns and saying thank you.

A handover note you can copy

Keep it to a page or two. Use the system your workplace uses for passwords and access, and keep them out of the note.

Template: handover note

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Handover note: [Your name], [job title]

Prepared [date]. Last working day: [date].

Current work

• [Project or task]: where it stands, the next step, the due date and who to contact
• [Project or task]: where it stands, the next step, the due date and who to contact

Recurring tasks

• [Task]: how often it happens, where it lives, and anything that tends to go wrong

People who should know

• [Name and role]: what they need from you or the team, and how to reach them

Where things are

• [Files, forms, shared mailboxes, supplier accounts, equipment]

Open risks

• [Anything that could go wrong in the next 30 days, with a date]

Passwords and access: please ask [IT or manager] to transfer these through the usual process.

Questions: I can be reached at [email] until [date].

What a handover looks like in different jobs

Your last day

Finish clean. People remember how you leave, and it can shape a reference or a rehire.

Last day checklist

• Return keys, badges, laptop, uniform, cards and any other company property
• Clear personal files from work devices and sign out of personal accounts
• Confirm with HR your final pay date, leave payout, benefits end date and where to send tax documents
• Hand over access through the proper process and not by writing passwords in a note
• Get contact details for the people who will act as references
• Say goodbye in person to the people you worked closely with
• Send a short goodbye note once your manager has seen it
• Forward nothing confidential to a personal account

0 of 8 done

Email: goodbye note to colleagues

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To

[Team or colleagues]

Subject

Saying goodbye

Hi everyone,

Today is my last day at [company]. I wanted to say thank you for [one specific thing: the help when I started, the Monday meetings, the way the team covers for each other].

I have learned a lot working with you, especially [one real thing]. If you would like to stay in touch, my personal email is [email] and I am on LinkedIn as [name].

[Colleague's name] will be picking up [responsibility] and has my notes.

Best wishes,

[Your name]

The exit interview

Many employers offer one, often with HR, and it is usually optional. It is a chance to be useful and a chance to say something you will regret. Decide beforehand what the one or two constructive points are, and keep the rest to yourself.

• HR

  Thanks for meeting. We ask everyone who leaves a few questions. What made you decide to move on?

• You

  I was offered a role that moves me toward operations, and the timing worked.

• HR

  Is there anything we could have done differently?

• You

  The first week for new starters was patchy when I joined. A checklist for day one would have helped. I would suggest that for whoever comes next.

• HR

  Anything about your manager or the team?

• You

  I enjoyed working with the team. I would rather keep my comments to the work and the process.

If your reasons include harassment, discrimination or safety, an exit interview is not the right channel. Use the formal process, keep your own dated notes, and get local advice first.

If the two weeks go badly

Most notice periods are uneventful. A few go sideways, and having a line ready helps.

If you are offered a counteroffer, the resignation letter guide has a section on when staying makes sense and a script for saying no.

Mistakes that cost goodwill

• Telling colleagues before your manager, or posting about it online, before the date is agreed.
• Giving notice by email alone to a manager you see every day.
• Resigning before the offer is final, in writing and with checks complete.
• Giving a vague date such as "in a couple of weeks". Put the full date in writing.
• Doing nothing for the first week, then trying to write a handover on day nine.
• Promising to stay available forever after you leave. Give a limit.
• Taking client lists, files or documents you do not own.
• Using the notice period to settle scores, in the room or in writing.

Where SnugCV fits

SnugCV does not handle resignations. It helps with the job search that comes before them. If you are giving notice because you have a new offer, congratulations. If you are leaving without one, your first few tailored resumes are free with no card. Upload your resume once, paste a posting, and tailoring takes about a minute, with employers, titles and dates copied unchanged. The free job tracker keeps your applications, notes and offers in one place. See how to tailor your resume to a job posting and a free job application tracker.

Keep going

If you have an offer and have not yet answered it, how to negotiate salary gives scripts for the offer stage. For other letter situations, resignation letter: how to write one, with templates has templates for everything from a one-month contract to retirement. And once you start the next job, why tailor a resume for each job explains how to keep your resume ready for the next time.