How to Write a UK Resignation Letter (2026 Template)
A professional resignation letter keeps doors open and avoids legal risk. The right structure, wording, and what to leave out.
Most resignation letters are written in a rush on the day someone decides to leave, with almost no thought about the legal weight they carry. Your letter sets your notice period clock running, creates a formal record that may be referenced years later, and signals — to a future employer who occasionally does ask — exactly how you handled your exit. Getting it right takes ten minutes. Here's a template and what you need to get right.
Why you need a written resignation
Most employment contracts require resignation to be given in writing. Even when they don't, a written record is in your interest — it establishes the exact date your notice period began, creates an audit trail if there's any dispute, and signals professionalism to an employer you may need as a reference for years to come.
A verbal resignation followed by a written one is fine. A written one with no verbal conversation beforehand is not — always tell your manager in person (or by phone) before the letter lands.
What to include (and what to leave out)
| Include | Leave out |
|---|---|
| Your intention to resign | Why you're leaving (you don't have to say) |
| Your notice period length | Criticism of the company, team, or management |
| Your last working day | Details of your new role (salary, company name) |
| An offer to support the handover | Emotional language or lengthy thanks |
| Date of the letter | Anything you wouldn't want read aloud in a tribunal |
UK resignation letter template (2026)
[Your name]
[Your address or just your email, if sending digitally]
[Date][Manager's name]
[Company name]
[Company address]Dear [Manager's first name],
I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name], with effect from [date of your last day].
As per my contract, I am giving [X weeks/months] notice. My last working day will therefore be [exact date].
I am committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and am happy to assist with handover planning during my notice period.
Thank you for the opportunities during my time here.
Yours sincerely,
[Your full name]
How to calculate your last working day
Notice typically begins the day after you hand in your written resignation. So if you resign on Monday, your notice starts Tuesday. Check your contract — some specify "working days", others mean calendar days. If your contract says one month, it means one calendar month from the notice start date.
Use our free Notice Period Calculator to get the exact date.
How to send your resignation letter
The standard approach in 2026 is email, with a follow-up hard copy if your contract requires it. Send to your direct manager and CC HR at the same time. If you're using email, the subject line should be straightforward: "Resignation — [Your Name]".
Do not resign by text, WhatsApp, or voicemail. Even in informal workplaces, these create ambiguity and can cause complications with payroll and your final reference.
What happens after you resign
Your employer may:
- Accept your resignation and agree your last day
- Propose an earlier departure with PILON (payment in lieu of notice)
- Place you on garden leave for the duration of your notice
- Ask you to work your full notice and complete a handover
All of these are normal. If they propose anything that changes your agreed last day or affects your pay, get it in writing before you agree.
Golden nugget: your resignation letter is a reference document
Future employers — especially in regulated industries — sometimes request your resignation letter or ask your former employer to confirm when and how you resigned. A clean, professional letter with a clear notice date and no negative content is the version you want on file. A letter written in the heat of frustration, with criticism or sarcasm embedded in it, can surface years later. Write it as if your next employer will read it — because occasionally they will.
If your employer asks you to leave immediately
This is more common than people expect — particularly in sales, finance, and client-facing roles. If your employer asks you to clear your desk the same day, they are obliged to pay you for your full notice period (PILON). If they don't pay you, that's a breach of contract and you can pursue it through an employment tribunal. Keep copies of your resignation letter, any email correspondence, and your contract.
Common questions
Do I have to give a reason for resigning? No. In the UK you are not legally required to explain why you're leaving. "Personal reasons" is a complete and legally sufficient answer.
Can my employer refuse to accept my resignation? No — a resignation is unilateral. They can ask you to reconsider, but they cannot refuse to accept it.
Can I change my mind after resigning? You can ask to withdraw your resignation, but your employer doesn't have to agree. If they've already started hiring your replacement, they're unlikely to.
Written by Desh Naidoo-Cann · Founder, Apex Assets Group · MBA Finance