Just what your employer needs: that you are resigning, your notice and your last working day, with a short thank you. Answer a few questions and copy it, download it as Word or print it. Free.
What a simple resignation letter needs
The date you hand it in. Your notice usually starts the day after.
Who it is to: your manager by name, or "Dear Sir or Madam".
That you are resigning, and from which job.
Your notice period and your last working day.
Your name, and your signature if you print it.
What to leave out
You don't have to give a reason, and a simple letter is better without complaints or long explanations: it goes on your file, and a future employer may ask for a reference.
If there is something you want to raise, such as holiday pay or an earlier leaving date, ask in a short separate line or in conversation.
How much notice to give
Whatever your contract says. If it says nothing, the legal minimum is one week once you have worked for your employer for a month or more. Many contracts ask for one month.
The builder works out your last working day from the notice you choose, so the dates in your letter match.
Simple resignation letter examples
Simple resignation letter
One month's notice, a handover 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 am giving one month's notice, in line with my contract, so my last working day will be 12 November 2026.
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
Simple resignation letter, one week's notice
The legal minimum, for a contract that says nothing about notice.
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 am giving one week's notice, in line with my contract, so my last working day will be 19 October 2026.
I will make sure my work is handed over properly before I leave.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Morgan
Simple resignation letter for a new job
Says you have accepted another role.
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 am giving one month's notice, in line with my contract, so my last working day will be 12 November 2026.
I have accepted a new role, and this was not an easy decision to make.
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
Very short resignation letter
The facts and nothing else.
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 am giving one month's notice, in line with my contract, so my last working day will be 12 November 2026.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Morgan
Questions people ask
Can a resignation letter be just a few lines?
Yes. It only has to say that you are resigning, your notice and your last working day. A thank you and an offer to help with the handover are polite, but not required.
Do I have to give a reason for resigning?
No. Giving a reason is optional, and many people keep it to a conversation.
Can I resign by email?
Usually, yes, unless your contract says notice must be given in a particular way, such as a signed letter. Check your contract, and keep a copy of what you send.
Is there a simple resignation letter in Word?
Yes. Write yours above and press Word to download it as a document you can edit, or choose one of our designs to download it as a PDF and Word file.
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.