Sample resignation letter UK (5)
By
OptimistMinds
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this guide, we will discuss “sample resignation letter the UK”, some tips on what to include in the resignation letter and some examples you can use as inspiration or templates you could modify as you see fit.
Sample resignation letter, UK
Sample resignation letters in the UK are all over the internet for all the possible reasons (e.g. personal, medical leave, etc.).
Some of them even have a PDF or word template format, just need to make some adjustments to it, adding your personal information and the reason you are leaving the company.
This is considered a formal way of ending your contractual agreement with your employer and it is better to hand in the resignation letter, even if you have had a discussion or conversation with your line manager/boss/supervisor.
It is recommended you write a brief, straight to the point letter expressing your intention to leave.
The best way to do this is to state the reason why you are leaving (without giving too much detail), the date you are handing in your resignation letter, the date you will be leaving and a closing thanking them for the opportunity.
Here is a summary of the things you need to consider when writing your resignation letter (standard):
- Dates (when you are handing the resignation letter and the last day worked)
- Your address
- Recipient details
- The reason for leaving
- Closing statement thanking your employer and your signature
In addition, this could also be a great opportunity to recognize and thank some of the members of staff or management that made your journey enjoyable.
You can simply say, “I would like to thank (name of the person) for their support and encouragement to give my best each and every day throughout my employment at (name of the company) helping me grow not only professionally but also personally.”
Note: It is recommended you give your employer at least a 1 month notice period instead of handing in your resignation letter in short notice.
However, sometimes it is inevitable and you need to hand in an immediate resignation letter due to an urgent matter that requires your attention such as a family emergency.
Is a resignation letter required by law in the UK?
In the UK a resignation letter is not required by law but before you think it is too much hassle and decide to skip writing à resign letter, make sure you review your employment contract to ensure you are not breaching any of the agreements made when you started your job.
However, if you still are not sure if you should or shouldn’t write one, try checking your induction handbook or any paperwork they may have given you on your first day.
If you are still not able to find anything related, try checking your contract since it includes details as to what is expected when you terminate your contract.
Worst case scenario, if still not able to find anything it is always a good idea to write your resignation letter.
How to write a resignation letter in the UK?
OK, so you have evaluated the reasons why you’d like to quit, pros and cons, talked to your boss and already decided you want to submit a formal resignation letter.
It could be that you are resigning because you have found a better job opportunity or you to resign due to personal reasons such as taking care of your health or someone else’s.
Whatever the reason maybe you have already decided it is the best thing to do so now it is important to put it in writing, make it official. Before, we talked about a standard type of resignation letter.
Here we will talk about how you can create a tailored one, according to your needs.
Make sure to include all the essential components, such as:
- Your contact information such as your first and last name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Date and employer contact information.
- Addressing your letter to your line manager/boss/supervisor/HR manager and adding a salutation- Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms. Last Name
- Begin with a statement of intent, where you express your intention of resigning to your current job role in the first paragraph. For example, you can start by saying “I regret to inform you that I officially tender my reignation….”
- Include your contracted notice period and the date of the last day you will work for your employer.
- Briefly include the reason for your departure: a new job opportunity, personal reasons, health issues, etc.
- Thank your company for the opportunity (final paragraph)
- Professional Close such as Kind regards or respectfully yours.
- Write your signature at the bottom (Handwritten is best)
Should I inform my colleagues?
To avoid office gossiping, right after you have communicated to your boss your intention to leave, find a suitable way to inform the rest of your team/colleagues.
However, consult with your boss first if it is something you are able to do or if he/she will do it for you.
A good idea is to write an email to everyone letting them know about your resignation, making sure you remain professional.
Here is an example of a goodbye email from cv-library.co.uk:
“Hello all,
I just wanted to inform you that I will be leaving [company name] as of [date of last day].
It’s been a pleasure to work with you all during my time here and thank you for all the support you’ve given me.
Best of luck in the future!
[Your name]”
Sample 1: Resignation letter UK
“[Insert your name]
[Insert your Address]
[Insert date]
[Insert Recipient name]
[Insert Title]
[Insert Organisation]
[Insert Address]
Dear [Insert manager’s name],
Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from the position of [insert job title] at [Insert Company].
As per the terms of my employment contract, I will continue to work for the company for the next [Insert notice period length], completing my employment on [Insert last day you intend to work].
I have enjoyed being a part of the team and am thankful for the opportunities you have given me during my time here. If there are any areas, in particular, you would like me to focus on during my notice period, please let me know.
I hope that I can rely on you for a positive reference in the future.
Yours sincerely
[Insert your name]”
This example can be found here in a printable PDF and Word format.
Sample 2: Resignation Letter UK
“(Insert Current date)
(Insert Manager’s name)
(Insert Company Name)
(Insert Company Address)
Dear (Insert Manager’s name)
Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from (the position) at(company name). My last day with the company will be (date).
Before I leave, I will ensure that all my projects are completed as far as possible, and I am happy to assist in any way to ensure a smooth handover to my replacement.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to work at (company) for (years of service). During this time I have thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere within the team, and I will miss our interactions.
While I am excited by the new opportunities that I will be pursuing in my new role, I will always remember my time at (company name) with affection. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further information after I leave, and I would be delighted if you stay in touch.
Kind regards,
(Your signature)
(Your printed name)”
This free sample resignation letter is from roberthalf.co.uk
Sample 3: Resignation Letter UK
“[Your Name]
[Address]
[Date]
[Company name]
[Company address]
Dear [Name of Recipient],
I am writing to notify you of my formal resignation from my role as [Job Title] at [Company Name].
As my contract requires that I give [amount of time specified] my last day will be [date].
Thank you for the opportunities for professional and personal development presented to me during my time here. I’ve enjoyed working for you, and appreciate the support given during my time at the company. If there is anything I can do to help with the transition, please let me know.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
______________ (signature)
[Your Name]”
Free sample can be found at fish4.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about sample resignation letter the UK
How do I write a letter of resignation UK?
To write a letter of resignation in the UK make sure you include the actual date you are writing the letter on, the last date you will be working, the reason for your departure, thank your employer for the opportunity and write your signature at the bottom.
How do I write a good resignation letter?
If you want to write a good resignation letter remember to:
– Keep it professional.
– Keep it brief and concise.
– Provide the reason for leaving without being too specific or detailed.
– Be polite.
– Thank your employer for the opportunity and the time spent at the company.
– Offer any help (when possible) in making a smooth transition.
– Avoid criticizing your employer or including any negative comments.
– Finish your letter with a positive statement and sign it.
How do you write a thoughtful resignation letter?
Here is an example of how to write a thoughtful resignation letter:
I am writing this letter to inform you about my decision to resign from my role as (name of role) effective 1 month from today, (date).
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the company for the opportunity and for everything I was able to learn as an employee of (name of the company.
This experience allowed me to acquire many important skills that will help me keep growing professionally in the near future.
Can a letter of resignation be handwritten?
Yes, your letter of resignation can be handwritten.
In order for your resignation to be legally binding, it must be handwritten and bear your signature.
Can I resign with immediate effect UK?
You can resign with immediate effect in the UK.
This means you don’t give your employer a notice period, which depending on the company can be a 1-2 month notice period.
This means you are resigning immediately and some employers may take it as being unprofessional for the arrangements they need to make in short notice to cover your position.
Other sample resignation or leave letters
Below are some of the other resignation or leave letters we curated.
If you are looking for a job, you should also ideally start your job research on job websites such as Indeed.
| Resignation letter due to relocation of spouse |
| Resignation letter due to salary delay |
| Resignation letter due to school schedule |
References
Monster.co.uk: “Tips for writing a Standard resignation Letter”
Half, R. (2019, Apr.) How to write a resignation letter. Retrieved from Roberthalf.co.uk
Fish4.co.uk: “Resignation letter templates & samples- Expert advice & tips”
Larkin, N. (2020, Jan.) Resignation guide 2020: Hand in your notice and quit your job gracefully. Retrieved from cv-library.co.uk.
