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Sample Resignation Letters

Sample Resignation Letters
Use these sample resignation letters as templates for your resignation letter.
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Last updated on January 14th, 2019

When an employee wants to leave his or her job, a well-written resignation letter will make the process go more smoothly. It is always a good idea to maintain a good relationship with an employer even if the employee is moving on to another job or staying at home with their children. A previous employer could be asked to write a letter of recommendation, so it makes sense to be as professional as possible when resigning. The letter will also provide official notice that the employee is resigning. 

Unless it is otherwise stipulated by company rules, an employee should give notice of resignation at least two weeks in advance of the time they plan to leave. They should give the date of departure. However, there are many ways and reasons for resigning including giving no notice, short notice, extended notice or for retirement. Even if the employee has spoken face-to-face with their employer about their resignation, they still need to send a formal letter.
  • Resignation Letter with Two Weeks Notice
  • Resignation Letter for Better Opportunity
  • ​Resignation Letter for Family Reasons
  • Resignation Letter Due to Health Issues
  • Resignation Letter for Teacher​
  • Resignation Letter for Nurse
  • ​Resignation Letter for Dental Hygienist
  • ​​Resignation Letter for Accountant
  • ​​Resignation Letter for Dental Assistant
  • ​Resignation Letter for Call Center
  • ​Resignation Letter for Security Guard​​
  • Resignation Letter for Teacher Assistant
The tone of the letter should be pleasant and friendly even if the employee is angry about leaving or doesn’t like their employer. Sounding ungrateful, complaining or criticizing the employer, another employee or the company is not professional. A copy of this letter will most likely go in the file of the resigning employee, so it should leave a good parting impression. The letter should be written in formal business-style. This is an opportunity to maintain a good relationship with your employer and leave on a positive note. 

If the employee is leaving on good terms with their employer, they can give more information about why they are resigning. If the employee hates the job and just wants out, it is recommended that they wait to resign until they have another job offer in writing. It is also acceptable to write two or three lines just stating the facts which are:

• I am resigning
• This letter is my two-week notice
• My last working day is DATE
• Thank you for the experience of working for your company

The most common type of letter should state that the employee will:

• Work their full notice period
• Help with training a new employee
• Finish on-going projects
It may not be possible to work the full time required by a contract before resigning because of health reason, an emergency in the family or a new job that won’t wait. Some companies require several months’ notice, so a new employee can be trained. The reasons for leaving early should be clearly stated in the letter.

The main reasons people resign from a job are:

• They found a better job or higher position
• They need to accompany their spouse to another location
• They are starting their own business
• They are becoming a freelancer
• They want to stay at home with their children

Here are samples of a resignation letter. They should be sent by certified mail, so the employee has proof of the time and date the letter was sent and received. 
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​NOTE: If the letter is being sent via Email the subject line should have your full name followed by Resignation. The body may be shorter than a hard copy with just the facts, including the final date of work, the reason for the resignation and the offer of help if there is anything you can do to make the transition easier. End the email with Best regards, your first and last name and your phone number.​​
​Resignation Letter for Two Week Notice
Use this sample resignation letter with two week notice as a template for your resignation letter.

​[Employee’s Name]
[Employee’s Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Employee’s Position in the Business]

[DATE]

[Manager’s Name]
[Name of Company]
[Address of Company]
[City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Manager’s Name],

I would like to inform you of my intention to resign from [Name of Position] at [Name of Company], effective two weeks from today, [Today's Date]. 

I now have an opportunity to develop my skills in areas that are more in line with my long term goals. I thank you for the training, and have enjoyed working under your leadership. It is largely due to the excellent experience I gained working on your team that I'm now able to peruse the growth opportunity in [Job Category].

During the next two weeks, I'm willing to help in every way to make the transition as smooth as possible. This includes assisting in recruiting and training my replacement. Again, it has been a true honor working as a part of your team.

​Sincerely, 
​
[Employee’s Signature]
[Employee’s Name Printed]
Resignation Letter for Better Opportunity​
Use this sample resignation letter for better opportunity as a template for your resignation letter.

Employee’s Name
Employee’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Employee’s Position in the Business

DATE

Manager’s Name
Name of Company
Address of Company
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Manager’s Name,

This letter is to formally give notice that I am resigning from my job as POSITION in NAME OF COMPANY. I have accepted a new opportunity with a nonprofit organization. My last day of work will be DATE.

I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience by being part of your team and appreciate the time and attention you gave me during my training period. With the skills I have gained working with you, I am confident I could be a project head for an environmental awareness program, and in my future career, I will always remember the support you gave me. 

I will do my best to complete on time all the pending work I have and would be happy to help train a new employee. I am fortunate to have been part of NAME OF COMPANY for the past three years and wish you success in the future. Kindly acknowledge this letter, and if you have any questions, I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at [email protected]

Sincerely, 
​
Employee’s Signature
Employee’s Name Printed
Sample Resignation Letter for Family Reasons
Use this sample resignation letter for family reasons as a template for your resignation letter.

​If you are required to resign from your job because you are needed at home to take care of a family member who is ill or other family issues, it is important to tell your employer the reason. This removes any doubt that you are resigning because of any issues at work or with a supervisor.

This may also leave the door open in case you are able to rejoin the company. Even if you never go back, leaving a positive message is always good especially if you require a reference later. However, just because you have an issue at home that needs your full attention doesn’t mean you need to tell all the details in your resignation letter. Stating family reasons or personal reasons should make it clear why you are leaving. 
 

It is wise to check your unused vacation time, sick leave and any other benefits that are owed to you once you are ready to tell your manager you plan to resign. 

There are many possible reasons a person needs to devote time to his or her family even if it means quitting his or her job. Some of the most common reasons are: 

• The birth or adoption of a child 
• A family member needs round-the-clock care because of a severe illness 
• A family member has died and there is no one to fulfil their responsibilities 
• A family member in a different part of the country needs regular care 
• A partner is pregnant and requires constant bed-rest 
• Issues that arise because of a family member’s active military duty 

If you would rather not resign, but need to care for a child or other family member, you may ask your employer if you can take advantage or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This was enacted in 1993 and allows you to take unpaid leave for certain family emergencies. Your employer may not need to adhere to FMLA and you may not be eligible, but it is worth finding out before you send your resignation letter.

To qualify, the company must have 50 or more employees and you must have worked for them at least 1,250 hours in a one-year period. If these conditions are met, you may get 12 unpaid workweeks and other benefits for the same reasons stated above. FMLA applies to fathers, mothers and same-sex spouses. 


It is good business practice to tell your direct supervisor or manager personally that you plan to resign for family reasons. Along with the reasons for resigning, it is important to convey the following information: 

• An expression of appreciation of working at the company 
• Appreciation for the experiences you had and how much you have learned 
• Appreciation for the help and support from colleagues and management 
• The date of your last day of work - Most companies require two weeks’ notice before leaving work. You should find out what your contract says, but you can give notice further in advance if it will help with the transition. Don’t underestimate the importance of giving your company time to look for a replacement for you and possibly have you still there to train him or her. 
• Contact information in case you can be of help to your replacement employee 
• If is it appropriate, you may request a transfer within the company to a different state or department to make your family obligations easier to handle 
• You may ask that you be considered to return to your job or an equivalent one when the family emergency is resolved. 
• Once you give your resignation letter, you should be ready to leave immediately if requested to do so. 

Here is a sample resignation letter for family reasons. This is a hard copy letter that can be sent through regular post or delivered by hand to the HR department or proper supervisor. If it is sent by post, it should be sent registered with a return received request. 

Sample Resignation Letter for Family Reasons

Sender’s Name 
Sender’s Address 
City, State, Zip Code 
Email address 

DATE 

HR or Management Personnel’s Name 
Position in the Company 
Company’s Name 
Company’s Address 
City, State, Zip Code 

Dear Name of Concerned Person: 

This letter is a formal notification that I will be resigning from POSITION OR JOB DESCRIPTION in Name of Company on DATE. My reason for resigning at this time is to take care of serious family issues that only I can resolve. I will not be able to work during that time. 

Since I am giving one month’s notice, I will be able to assist in finding and training a replacement. I will faithfully fulfil my responsibilities until DATE. 

I have had great job satisfaction working at Name of Company and appreciate your understanding at this trying time. If there is anything I can do even after I leave to further any projects, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I can be reached at PHONE NUMBER or EMAIL ADDRESS. 

Sincerely, 
Signature of Sender 
Printed Name of Sender 
Sample Resignation Letter Due to Health Issues
Use this sample resignation letter due to health issues as a template for your resignation letter.

The first step is realizing that you may not need to mention your health as the reason for leaving at all. However, if you’ve had a decrease in productivity or an increase in missed days in the months prior to your resignation, it is a good idea to explain the reason for this trend in your letter so that you can preserve a great recommendation for the future.

The level of health information that you disclose should be balanced between an acceptable explanation and your confidentiality, since more likely multiple people will be reading your letter. It is a good idea to provide further information to your boss in person if you are on good terms with them.


The second step is deciding when to turn your resignation letter in. Giving two weeks of notice is a common courtesy followed by many employees, but is not actually a law since most companies in the US follow an at-will policy. Therefore, a good reason to avoid giving your employer a warning is if you have noticed a trend of negative reactions to other resignations in your workplace or if the state of your health requires you to resign immediately.

There are exceptions to this. If your employee contract includes a clause that requires you to warn the company of your resignation a specific amount of days ahead, your company is legally obligated to pay you for that period. Also, if your employee benefits are negatively affected by your immediate resignation, it is a good idea to give advance notice.


The next step is deciding the format to use for your letter. Both email and business mail are considered acceptable, so choose the format that you are most comfortable with. It is important to note that for immediate resignations, email is the easier and faster option.

The format for and email letter of resignation is as follows:
Subject: [Your Full Name]-Resignation Notice
Salutations,
Paragraph 1: Contains a full statement outlining your intent to resign and when.
Paragraph 2: Used to provide a brief explanation for your resignation.
Paragraph 3: Any closing statement you wish to make, plus a thank you to the company.
Sincerely, [Your Full Name]
[Electronic Signature]
[Email]
[Phone Number]

The format or a physical letter of resignation is:
[Your Name]
[Your Full Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]

[Date]

[Company Name]
[Title of Addressee]
[Organization]
[Full Company Address]

[Salutations]
Paragraph 1: Statement of resignation and when
Paragraph 2: Explanation for resignation
Paragraph 3: Closing statement and a thank you.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]

In both email and business letter form, using “To whom it may concern” is acceptable in lieu of a salutation when the name of addressee is not known, or when you are mailing the letter to a department within the company instead of a specific person. Additionally, it is convention to use 12 pt. Times New Roman/Century font with single space, only using double space between paragraphs. The following is an example of the three paragraphs included in the main body of either an email or business mail resignation letter;

Sample Resignation Letter Due to Health Issues:
[Salutations]
It is with great regret that I must inform you that in two weeks’ time I am resigning from the position of Art Department Director. I understand that my departure will cause a disruption, and I will do everything in my power to facilitate the smooth transition of duties to my replacement.

My decision to resign is not due to any shortcomings from this company, but to a recent diagnosis of a severe health problem. I was advised by my physician to cease working as soon as possible. With much consideration, I must agree with my doctor’s recommendation, because I cannot function at the typical level that I have no doubt you have come to expect, and focus on my health at the same time. 

While working here, the support and encouragement I have received and the connections I have made, both professional and personal, have been invaluable. I will miss the challenging nature of my work and the enjoyable atmosphere and coworkers. I will always be grateful.

Note: The key things to focus on when resigning due to poor health are whether your relationship with your boss and coworkers warrants an explanation for your resignation, when to turn in your letter to maximize benefits and pay, and how to format the letter itself.

​Sample Resignation Letter for Teacher
Use this sample resignation letter for teacher as a template for your resignation letter.

Resigning from any job is a serious decision to make and shouldn’t be based on emotion, especially for a teaching position. It’s important to write a teacher resignation letter that is dignified and professional. A teacher may resign for several reasons such as moving to another city or state, finding a non-teaching job, or to stay at home with young children.
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Whatever the reason, the way in which a person resigns from one job may have an effect on the next job. If a teacher resigns in a fit of anger, it will reflect badly on their character, which can be extremely harmful if they ever want another teaching job. 

Writing a professional resignation letter shows respect to the institution as well as the principal and the teacher’s co-workers. The teacher resignation letter should contain the reason for the resignation as well as any other information the teacher would like the principal and others at the institution to know.

Before writing the letter, the teacher should read his or her contract to see if there are any rules and regulations pertaining to resignations. The teacher should follow all the rules, so the institution has no legal claim on them. 

The letter should be addressed to the correct person. This may be the principal or a human resources administrator. It is also recommended to send copies to other people such as the head of the school board or anyone involved in hiring. The letter should clearly state the date of resignation. 

The purpose of the letter should be stated in the first sentence. This shows respect for the time of the person receiving the letter. They don’t need to read the whole letter to find out its purpose. If the reason for resigning is because the teacher has another teaching job, is leaving the city or state, or is in poor health and cannon continue teaching, it should be mentioned.

If the reason for resigning is because the teacher is dissatisfied, it should not be mentioned in the letter. If the teacher has any complaint to make, it should be done separately and not along with his or her resignation.

The letter should also contain any information related to the contribution the teacher has made to the institution as well as information about personal growth. For example, the teacher can state that a particular teacher acted as a mentor and help the teacher grow in his or her subject area or in the area of teaching. The teacher can also mention if he or she was responsible for the school receiving any awards such as a district sports award or fine arts award. 

It is important for the teacher to express gratitude for teaching at the institution and that he or she would like to maintain their professional relationship with the school. If it is suitable or possible, the teacher can mention that he or she would be available to help with special projects or other things if they are in the same city or their health and time permits. 

Some important tips to help a teacher leave behind good feelings when they resign from an institution are:

• They should not complain to coworkers about the job
• They should not brag about a new job
• They should offer to help anyone after resigning if feasible
• They should ask for a reference if needed to get a new job
• They should give notice as early as possible
• They should say goodbye on the last day of work
• They should remove any personal files from their computer

Here is a sample teacher resignation letter. It is recommended to send it by certified mail, so the teacher is sure it was received. Copies can be made and sent to other administrators or board members if suitable. The teacher should keep a copy for his or her files. 

Sample Teacher Resignation Letter
Teacher’s Name
Teacher’s Address
City, State, Zip Code

DATE

Principal’s Name
School’s Name
School’s Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Principal’s Name:

This letter is my formal notice that I am resigning from my job as high school Art Teacher in Name of School. My last day of attendance will be DATE, which is the last day of this school year. I have decided to accept the position of Curator of the City Fine Arts Museum.

I enjoy teaching, and would be happy to organize art workshops connected with the Museum for your students if it would be considered useful. I sincerely appreciate the freedom and support you have given me in the teaching of art and appreciate the seriousness with which you promote fine arts in the school. I hope I can continue to contribute to your curriculum. 

Thank you for the wonderful experience of teaching art in your esteemed school. 

Sincerely,
Signature of Teacher
Printed Name of Teacher
Sample Resignation Letter for Dental Hygienist
Use this sample resignation letter for dental hygienist as a template for your resignation letter.

Julia Weissburg
​7303 Reinhardt St. Apt 212
Elmhurst, IL 60126

Dr. Brian Cody, DDS
2313 Stetson Ave.
Elmhurst, IL 60126

DATE
​

Dear Dr. Cody,

I regret to inform you that I must resign from my position as a dental hygienist at Cody Dental Clinic effective DATE.

While I have valued the time I have spent as an employee of Cody Dental Clinic, I have been offered another position with a higher salary. In the current economy, I cannot in good conscience turn down such an opportunity.

I greatly appreciate your professionalism and the knowledge I've gained while working with you in the past, and I hope someday we might be able to work together again.

Sincerely,
​

Julia Weissburg
Sample Resignation Letter for Accountant
Use this sample resignation letter for accountant as a template for your resignation letter.

Your Boss's Name
Boss's Title
Company Name


Dear Boss’s Name:

This wasn’t an easy decision, because I am grateful for the rewarding employment I’ve had with [company name].  But after long hours of consideration,  I realize an offer to serve as corporate accountant of a Fortune 500 company is too great of an opportunity to decline.

I would like to help with the transition of my accounting and finance responsibilities so that systems continue to function smoothly after my departure. I am available to help train my replacement, and I will make certain that all accounting and finance reports are updated before my departure.

Sincerely,

Your signature
Your typed name
Sample Resignation Letter for Dental Assistant
Use this sample resignation letter for dental assistant as a template for your resignation letter.

Dental Office Name
Dental Office Address
Attn: Human Resources

Dear Administrator,

This letter is to notify you that I am resigning from [Office Name] as a [dental assistant].  [Date] will be my last day of employment.

I have accepted a position with another dental office that will further my growth and development in my career. Working at [Office Name] has been an enriching and rewarding experience. The growth and learning opportunities that have come my way at [Office Name] are invaluable and I am truly grateful.

During the next two weeks, I am willing to help you in any way to make the transition as smooth as possible. This includes assisting in recruiting and training my replacement. Please let me know if there is anything specific that you would like me to do.

Yours respectfully,

Your signature
Your typed name
Sample Resignation Letter for Call Center Representative
Use this sample resignation letter for call center representative as a template for your resignation letter.

Today’s Date

Your Manager's Name
Manager's Title
Call Center Name

Dear Mr./Ms. Manager:

This is to inform you that I have accepted a position in another call center. Therefore, I would like to offer my resignation dated [date].

I appreciate the professional development and growth from [Call Center Name], and in particular, from you. Your mentoring support has encouraged me, and I hope that we will continue our relationship as I move forward in my career.

I wish you continued growth and success in the future.

Sincerely,
​
Your signature
Your typed name
Sample Resignation Letter for Security Guard
Use this sample resignation letter for security guard as a template for your resignation letter.
 
Today’s Date 
Manager's Name
Manager's Title
Company Name
​
Dear Mr./Ms. Manager:

Please accept this letter of resignation from the position of security guard, effective two weeks from today. My last day at [Company Name] will be [date].

I have accepted a position with another website that will further my growth and development in my career. I have enjoyed working at [company name] and will miss my colleagues. However, this new position will challenge my growth and further my career.

During the next two weeks, I am willing to help you in any way to make the transition as smooth as possible. This includes assisting in recruiting and training my replacement. Please let me know if there is anything specific that you would like me to do.

Again, it has been a pleasure working as a part of your website.

Best regards,

Your signature
Your typed name
Sample Resignation Letter for Nurse
Use this sample resignation letter for nurse as a template for your resignation letter.
 ​
Hospital Name
Hospital Address
Attn: Human Resources

Dear Hospital Administrator,

Please accept this as my formal resignation letter from my position as nurse to be effective from [date]. I have scheduled my resignation from your hospital a month from now, which will allow me sufficient time to prepare my successor to take over my position.

I wish to thank you and all my colleagues at [Hospital Name]l for all your help, professional courtesy, and support. I have immensely enjoyed working here as the head nurse for the past six years, and my experience with this hospital has been greatly rewarding.

You probably already know the reason I am leaving is due to our moving to another state. But I wanted to state officially that my resignation is in no way to be perceived as my being unhappy or dissatisfied with the job, its responsibilities, or leadership of [Hospital Name].

I wish you and the rest of the administrative team continued success, and I want to take this opportunity again to thank you for permitting me to be part of the team.

Sincerely,

Your signature
Your typed name
Sample Resignation Letter for Teacher Assistant
Use this sample resignation letter for teacher assistant as a template for your resignation letter.

Today’s Date

School Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear  Superintendent:

I am writing to inform the school that I will be leaving my position. Unfortunately, my health is deteriorating and I feel it would be in my best interests to resign from my position as teacher assistant.

I have enjoyed teaching at the school. It has been both a rewarding and memorable experience. I have always given students 100% of my knowledge and attention to help them to excel in their educations.

In this career, I have also learned much about myself. I realized that I made a great choice when I became a teacher assistant and an even better choice when I accepted the position at this school.

With great dismay, I must give my resignation letter and with much respect, I have appreciated the opportunity that was given to me. Hopefully, I will be replaced by someone with the same passion for knowledge and teaching that I had.

Best regards,

Your signature
Your typed name

​
by Andre Bradley

Related Articles
  • What to Do When You Are Forced to Resign
  • Things to Leave Out of a Resignation Letter
  • ​Resignation Do's and Don'ts​​
  • What Everybody Ought to Know About Writing a Resignation Letter
  • Writing a Thank You Letter to Boss After Resignation (with Sample)

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