Resignation is when an employee ends their employment contract. You might also call it 'resigning', 'quitting your job', or 'handing in your notice'.
When you resign, you are telling your employer you are going to stop working for them.
How to resign
Your employer might have a process they want you to follow. Check your contract to find out. If it's not in your contract, you could ask your manager.
Resign in writing
It's a good idea to resign in writing. You do not have to, but it can help to have a formal record of your resignation.
Write to your manager unless you have been told to write to someone else.
Tell them:
- you are resigning
- how much notice you are giving
- what date you want to be your last day at work
If you want proof that your employer has received your resignation, you can send your resignation letter by recorded delivery.
Use our resignation letter template
Notice period – when to resign
Your 'notice period' is how long you have to work for your employer after you resign.
Your contract will probably say how long your notice period is. If it doesn't, and you've worked for your employer for at least 1 month, you should give at least 1 week's notice.
Find out more about notice periods
Final pay
Your final pay may be different to your usual weekly or monthly pay.
It might change because of things like:
- how much holiday you've taken
- money deducted for training courses
Find out more about final pay when someone leaves a job
Problems at work
If you want to resign because of a problem at work, you might be able to get help to solve the problem.
Find out how to raise a problem at work
Responding to an employee's resignation
As an employer, you do not have to respond when someone resigns, but it's good practice to acknowledge it in writing.
Responding in writing can help to make clear:
- you have received the employee's resignation
- the employee's last day of work
- the employee's final pay, including holiday pay and any deductions
- anything you expect from the employee before they leave
As well as putting these things in writing, it can also help to discuss them with the employee. This can help avoid misunderstandings or disputes.