Work & Career · free generator
Two Weeks' Notice Letter
You're leaving on good terms, and you want the paperwork to match. A two weeks' notice letter is the professional standard for a reason: it gives your manager a firm date to plan around, gives you a documented exit, and keeps the reference warm for the next time a recruiter calls. The letter itself should do exactly three things - state that you're resigning, name your last day two weeks out, and offer to help with the handoff. Anything more invites a conversation you don't need in writing. Fill in the blanks below: your manager's name, the company, your title, and the date two weeks from now. Sixty seconds later you'll have a letter ready to email or hand over after the conversation.
[Date]
[Your manager's name]
[Company name]
Dear [Your manager's name],
I am writing to give my formal two weeks' notice of resignation from my position as [Your job title] at [Company name]. My last day of employment will be [Your last day of work].
I want to make the next two weeks count. I will complete or document my open projects, prepare handoff notes for each of my responsibilities, and I am glad to help train a colleague or my replacement on my duties. If there are specific priorities you would like me to focus on before [Your last day of work], please let me know and I will build my remaining time around them.
I appreciate the opportunities I have had at [Company name] and the support you have given me in this role. I am committed to leaving my work in good order and to making this transition as smooth as possible for you and the team.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
Three tips before you send
- Deliver the news in person or on a video call first, then send this letter by email the same day so your notice period has a timestamp HR can't dispute.
- Count carefully: your last day drives your final paycheck, PTO payout, and health coverage end date. Confirm all three with HR in writing before you leave.
- Some employers walk people out the same day. Back up personal files and contacts (never company property) before you hand anything in, just in case.
Questions people ask
Is two weeks' notice legally required?
In most states, no - US employment is generally at-will, so you can quit at any time. But your offer letter, contract, or handbook may require notice for you to collect a bonus, keep vesting equity, or get unused PTO paid out. Check those documents first; two weeks remains the standard that protects your professional reputation.
What if my employer asks me to leave immediately after I give notice?
They can. In most states an employer may accept your resignation effective immediately, and you're typically only owed wages through your last day actually worked, unless a contract says otherwise. Some states then treat the early cutoff like a termination for unemployment purposes. That's why you should be ready to walk out the day you hand this in.
Do the two weeks include weekends and holidays?
Two weeks' notice conventionally means ten business days, but what actually matters is the calendar date you write in the letter. Pick a specific last day, put it in writing, and confirm it with your manager or HR. If a holiday falls inside the window, most employers don't extend your notice - the stated date controls.
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