Resignation letter with immediate effect, written for you
If you need to leave straight away, the safest way is to ask your employer to agree to waive your notice, and to get their answer in writing. This letter resigns, asks for that agreement, and leaves out anything that could make things harder. Free to copy, download as Word or print.
Can you resign with immediate effect?
You can ask to. If your employer agrees to waive your notice, you can leave straight away, and you should get that agreement in writing. Your employer can say no.
If you leave without working your notice and without agreement, it can be a breach of contract. Your employer may be able to deduct money from your final pay if your contract allows it, or claim extra costs, and it could affect a reference.
When you may be able to leave without notice
If your employer has seriously breached your contract, you may be entitled to leave without working your notice. That can lead to a constructive dismissal claim, so get advice from Acas before you do it.
What to put in the letter
That you are resigning, from which job.
That you would like to leave with immediate effect, and ask them to waive your notice.
An offer to help with a quick handover.
A request to confirm in writing whether they agree.
Resignation with immediate effect examples
Resignation letter with immediate effect
Asks to waive the notice, with a quick handover.
21 October 2026
Dear Sarah,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Operations Coordinator at Northbank Services. I would like to leave with immediate effect, and I would be grateful if you would agree to waive my notice period so that my last working day is 12 October 2026. Please confirm in writing whether you agree.
I will make sure my work is handed over properly before I leave.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Morgan
Immediate resignation for personal reasons
A short reason and a thank you.
21 October 2026
Dear Sarah,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Operations Coordinator at Northbank Services. I would like to leave with immediate effect, and I would be grateful if you would agree to waive my notice period so that my last working day is 12 October 2026. Please confirm in writing whether you agree.
I am leaving for personal reasons.
Before I leave, I will do everything I can to make the handover smooth, including documenting my work and helping to train whoever takes over my responsibilities.
Thank you for the opportunities I have had during my time at Northbank Services. I have valued the experience and the support I have received.
I wish you and the team every success in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Morgan
Questions people ask
Can I quit my job without notice?
Only safely if your employer agrees to waive it, or if they have seriously breached your contract. Leaving without agreement can be a breach of contract, and may affect your final pay or a reference.
Will I still get paid?
You should be paid for the days you have worked and for holiday you have built up and not taken. If you leave without agreement and your contract allows it, your employer may be able to make a deduction.
What if my employer says no?
Then your notice period applies. You can ask to agree an earlier date once a handover is done; if they agree, put the date in writing.
Should I give a reason?
You don't have to. A short reason can help your employer agree, especially for health or family reasons.
More letters for work
Resignation letter: Notice to leave, with your last working day worked out.
Retirement letter: Formal notice that you're retiring, with your last day worked out.
Character reference: For a job, a tenancy or court, written from real examples.
Job offer letters: Accept, decline or ask for more, with your resign-by date.
Reference letters: Ask someone to be your referee, or write a reference.