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Two Weeks Notice Letter Template
Two weeks notice letter templates: standard, short, email, new job, health or family, more or less notice, rescinding, and a script for your manager.
A two weeks notice letter tells your employer you are resigning and gives an exact last working day, usually two weeks after you hand it in. Keep it to three short parts: the resignation and date, a handover offer, and a brief thank-you. In most US states two weeks is a custom, not a legal requirement.
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What you get
- A standard two weeks notice letter and a filled-in example with real dates
- Eight more versions: short, email, with gratitude, new job, health or family reasons, more than two weeks, less than two weeks, and rescinding a resignation
- A word-for-word script for telling your manager before the letter goes out
- A table showing how to count two weeks, including around holidays
- When notice is legally required: at-will employment, contracts, union agreements and company policy
- A pre-send checklist and the mistakes that cost people references or PTO payout
Template preview
A preview of the structure. Download the PDF or CSV for the complete, ready-to-use version.
Details to fill in
- Your full name and job title
- Manager's name— and HR contact to copy
- Date you'll hand in notice
- Last working day— an exact date, e.g. Friday, October 23, 2026
Standard two weeks notice letter
[Your name] [Date] Dear [Manager name], Please accept this letter as my two weeks' notice of resignation from my position as [Job title] at [Company name]. My last working day will be [Day, Month Date, Year]. Before I leave, I will [finish or hand over specific work, e.g. close out the Q4 vendor renewals], write handover notes for [area], and help train whoever takes over [responsibility]. Thank you for the opportunity to [specific thing you valued, e.g. lead the billing migration]. I've learned a lot here and I'd like to leave things in good order. You can reach me after my last day at [personal email]. Sincerely, [Your name]
Worked example: standard notice, filled in
Priya Raman Friday, October 9, 2026 Dear Marcus, Please accept this letter as my two weeks' notice of resignation from my position as Senior Accountant at Lakeview Dental Group. My last working day will be Friday, October 23, 2026. Before I leave, I will close the September month-end, document the vendor payment run in the finance wiki, and spend two sessions with Ana walking through the bank reconciliations so she can cover them in November. Thank you for the chance to lead the move to the new accounting system last spring. I've learned a lot here and I want to leave the team in good shape. You can reach me after October 23 at priya.raman@[personal email]. Sincerely, Priya Raman Why it works: the resignation and the exact date are in the first paragraph, the handover names real tasks and a person, and the thank-you is specific without being long.
Version 1: Short and simple
Dear [Manager name], I am resigning from my position as [Job title]. My last day will be [Date], two weeks from today. Thank you for your support. I'll make sure my work is handed over before I go. Best regards, [Your name]
Version 2: Email two weeks notice
Subject: Two weeks' notice: [Your name], last day [Date] Hi [Manager name], As we discussed today, I'm resigning from my role as [Job title]. My last day will be [Date]. I'll put together handover notes for [projects] by [date] and I'm happy to help train my replacement. I've copied [HR contact] so they can start the paperwork. Thank you for everything over the past [time at company]. Best, [Your name] [Personal email for after my last day] Tip: send it from your work account so it's on record, and forward a copy to your personal email.
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How to use this template
- 1
Check your contract, offer letter and handbook
Look for a required notice period, rules tying PTO payout or rehire eligibility to notice, and any bonus or sign-on repayment terms that depend on your last day.
- 2
Pick your last day
Count two weeks from the day you hand in notice and name the date. If a holiday falls inside the notice period, decide whether you're counting calendar weeks or working days.
- 3
Tell your manager first
Use the script below in a short private conversation, in person or on video, before the letter reaches their inbox.
- 4
Send the letter the same day
Pick the version that fits, fill in every bracket, and email it to your manager with HR in copy. Keep a copy with the date and time sent.
- 5
Work the notice period well
Write handover notes, finish or reassign open work, and give a personal email for your final pay stub and W-2.
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally have to give two weeks notice?
In most of the US, no. At-will employment, the default everywhere except Montana, lets either side end the job without notice. A contract or union agreement can require notice, and many handbooks tie PTO payout or rehire eligibility to it, so check those before deciding.
How do I count two weeks notice?
Count 14 calendar days from the day you hand it in, which is usually 10 working days. If you give notice on a Friday, your last day is the Friday two weeks later. Write the exact date in your letter to avoid confusion, especially if a holiday falls inside the period.
Can my employer let me go as soon as I give notice?
Yes, in at-will employment. Some employers end the job the same day, especially for roles with access to clients or sensitive data. They generally don't have to pay the remaining two weeks unless a contract or policy says so. Have your finances ready for that possibility.
Can I give two weeks notice by email?
Yes. Email is the most common way to send it and creates a dated record. Tell your manager in person or on video first, then send the email the same day with HR in copy and keep a copy in your personal account.
What if I can't give the full two weeks?
Give as much notice as you can, name the exact last day and offer a written handover. Keep the reason to one line. Check your handbook, since some employers withhold PTO payout or mark you ineligible for rehire without full notice, where state law permits.
Can I take back my two weeks notice?
You can ask, but the employer doesn't have to agree once it has accepted your resignation. Ask quickly, before a replacement is hired, explain briefly what changed, and put the request in writing. Version 8 above is a template for it.