What is a 2-Week Notice Resignation Letter?

A 2-Week Notice Resignation Letter declares your intention to resign from the company and indicates that before leaving, you will stay in the department for another two weeks. The normal period of time from the day you decided to resign from the company until your last day at work is two weeks.

How to fill out a 2-Week Notice Resignation Letter?

Recipient of the letter

Enter the name of the person you are sending this letter to.

BODY OF THE LETTER

This part of the document contains information and conditions about your resignation.

Name

Enter your name.

Company ID Number

Enter your company ID number.

Date when you are submitting this letter

Enter the date when you are to submit this letter, informing your employer that you are giving them two (2) weeks’ notice.

Date of your last day of work

Enter the date 2 weeks after the day you are submitting this letter. That date will be your last day of work.

Date of your first day of work

Enter the date of your first day of work.

Employer’s Company Name

Enter your employer’s company name.

Employer’s Contact No.

Enter your employer’s contact number.

The next part of the letter contains specific conditions that you are required to understand if you decide to end your employment.

Your company requires you to submit this 2-Week Notice Form.
Your company requires you to work for 2 weeks after giving your 2-week notice unless your company releases you immediately or if your company decides that there are reasons to excuse you from this requirement.
You must discuss your situation with your manager before handing out your 2-week notice.
You are to agree in calling your boss during business hours on your last day of work in the company. Enter the name of your boss and his or her contact number.

This section will be filled out by your employer.

Mark the first box if you are waiving this employee’s 2-week notice and you understand that if you agree to doing so, you are also waiving it for all the other staff of the department that this employee is assigned to. If you are not waiving this employee’s 2-week notice, mark the second box.

Employer’s name

Enter the name of your employer.

Employer’s signature

Enter the employer’s signature.

Employee’s name

Enter your name.

Employee’s signature

Enter your signature.

Frequently Asked Questions About a 2-Week Notice Resignation Letter

Why do you need to submit a 2-Week Notice Resignation Letter two weeks before you resign?

If you have decided to resign from your job, it is customary to submit a 2-week notice to your employer. Regardless of your situation, two weeks is an ideal timeframe for your employer to find a suitable replacement or to hire someone to take over your duties and responsibilities, or reassign your tasks to other employees in your department. Your employer always has the decision to waive this notice and let you leave the company immediately.

Most companies will appreciate you staying for a couple more weeks to help with the adjustments. This is beneficial to you and the company. During this time, you may train or guide your replacement so that it would be easier for them to adjust once you leave the company. This is also a chance for you to demonstrate your professionalism and that will result in you leaving the company on a positive note.

What to consider before submitting a 2-Week Notice Resignation Letter?

Before deciding to resign from the company and submit a 2-week notice resignation letter you must consider these situations:

Employment Issues

Is there another company ready to hire you?
Do you intend to start your own business?

Financial Issues

Can you still pay your primary expenses after quitting your job?
How will quitting your job affect your bank account?
Will you go on unemployment?

Workplace Issues

Are you leaving behind a huge assignment that would fall into an unwarned coworker's lap?

HR Issues

How are you going to treat your remaining paid time off: are you going to take all of it before you put in your two-week notice, cash it out, or forgo it?
How are you going to handle the property, accounts, and files that you have that are owned by the company?

Resigning from a job requires a lot of questions to be answered, even if you have considered all these problems and answered all of these questions, you still have to handle the needs of the HR department and your manager.

You may be asked by the HR department to review your position.
Your manager may ask you to train your replacement and take over your responsibilities

Regardless of what your situation is, always write a two-week letter of warning. Your boss, colleagues, and HR department would appreciate your professionalism in presenting an exact departure date.

What to expect after submitting your 2-Week Notice Resignation Letter?

There are a lot of things to expect after deciding to resign from the company. Whether you are leaving on a positive note or on a negative note, try to handle your departure in a professional way. You must be ready for your exit interview and be prepared to answer whatever questions your manager asks you.

Remember that you have 2-weeks to help the company adjust to the changes that are going to be made once you leave. If you are asked to perform certain duties during the timeframe, whether to finish your tasks or train your replacement, perform them to the best of your abilities.

Displaying your professionalism is always a great way to leave a company on a positive note. Consider every possibility or inconvenience that may come your way once you resign from the company. Make sure that you have everything under control once your resignation is accepted. Also, make sure that your replacement understands every detail about your duties and responsibilities as they are about to become theirs.

If the company decides to waive your 2-week notice and allow you to leave early, make sure that you are ready to leave and your properties such as your accounts, files, and other documents are arranged so that no further complications will happen.

How do I write a two-week notice resignation letter?

A two-week notice resignation letter is an employment document that lets your employer know you plan to leave the job in two weeks. The letter informs them of when they can expect you to hand in your resignation, and it also includes a reason for leaving.

Bad reasons are often cited when employees have to leave their jobs, so it's important to give your employer something they can accept. The cleanest resignation letters contain no negative language or criticism of the company or fellow staff members. They simply state that you've decided to pursue another job opportunity and leave it at that.

The two-week notice is an important part of your transition out of the company. When you provide your employer with one, you retain some level of respect for your colleagues and for the business.

To write a two-week resignation letter, follow these simple steps:

Gather your thoughts — You don't have to develop a formal outline, but it's helpful to have at least a general idea of what you want to say before you start writing. If you're not sure whether or not you need to give notice, read through our guidelines on how much notice is required in your state.
Address your letter — Start with the date, and include your name, address, and contact information at the top of the page. If you've been communicating with your employer about an upcoming departure date, put that in parentheses after "Date."
State your two-week notice — Begin the body of the letter with the words "I am writing" or "This letter is to inform you," then clearly state that you're giving a two-week resignation to take effect on a specific date. If you don't know when your last day will be, simply write that you're giving notice "effective immediately" or "as of today."
Express your gratitude — Acknowledge all the professional opportunities you've had while working for your employer, and thank them again for giving you the chance to grow as a person and an employee.
Close by thanking them once more — Conclude the letter by reiterating your gratitude, and use language like "I wish you all the best."
Sign your name — If you need to send it via email, be sure to put "Two-Week Resignation Letter" in the subject line. If you're typing the letter on company letterhead, sign it by hand.

What to include in your two-week notice resignation letter?

Be clear about when your last day of work will be. State the date you'll leave the company, or write "as of today." Employers are typically understanding if you can't give an exact date because circumstances change. For example, if you're waiting for a new job offer, you might have to request an extension.

Keep it professional by avoiding negative comments about your employer or co-workers. Mentioning that the internal politics of the company were getting on your nerves or that your manager had a rude personality lacks tact and isn't considered good form. In addition, it's a bad idea to vent about your personal life. For example, stating that you're moving to another city or getting married is irrelevant and should be omitted from the letter.

Don't make promises regarding future contact. Your two-week notice resignation letter is not an opportunity for you to ask if there's room for advancement within the company. If you don't receive an offer right away, the hiring manager may think you're not really done with your former employer.

Don't overstate how much longer you'll be employed. Employers understand that sometimes employees need to leave their jobs unexpectedly or for personal reasons, but they can become wary if they suspect that you're leaving simply because you can't find a better opportunity. When you resign from your job, don't announce that you'll remain with the company for "several months" or "as long as [you] can."

What should you not include in your resignation letter?

Here are some tips on what not to write in a two-week notice resignation letter:

Avoid using flowery language. Your letter should be practical and professional to avoid confusing your employer. For example, simply saying "I'm grateful for the opportunity" is sufficient when thanking someone in your two-week notice resignation letter.
Don't repeat information that's already in your resume. Sending a one-page letter with the exact same information you previously shared in your cover letter and during an interview is considered unprofessional. If anything, you might want to work in a mention of something that was left out of your resume, but it's generally not necessary. For example: "I've attached my resume for further clarification about the education and experience I listed."
Don't share personal information like references or future plans. This letter isn't a networking opportunity or an interview. Save that information for your reference list, and when you're asked about future plans in job interviews.
Don't mention money. While this might seem like common sense, it's surprisingly easy to forget when it comes to negotiating salary during the hiring process or before accepting a new position. If you do bring up money in your two-week notice resignation letter, it should be to state that you're willing to negotiate salary or benefits.
Don't discuss any legal disputes. If you need to leave for another job right away, don't mention any pending lawsuits, complaints, or other legal proceedings. If it's already been made clear that you're leaving because of a pending legal case, state this in your letter. For example: "I'm sorry to say that I won't be able to finish out my notice period due to a court date that will require me to leave town for several weeks."
Don't make excuses for your resignation. Mentioning poor management, false promises, unreasonable deadlines or other issues is unnecessary and may indicate that you're not very self-aware. For example: "I wish I could stay with the company longer, but it's impossible because my new job requires me to relocate to another state." Avoid making this statement in your letter.
Don't share your future career plans. Your two-week notice resignation letter is not the place to discuss job hunting. If you do mention anything, it should be that you're looking for a position that more closely aligns with your goals and aspirations; perhaps one that will allow you more room for growth. For example: "I'm looking for a position in the marketing department where I can contribute my creative ideas."
Don't be demanding. When writing your two-week notice resignation letter, stay calm and don't imply that you deserve more than what's being offered to you. You shouldn't complain or demand anything because this could work against you. For example: "I am very reluctant to leave this company, but I require a 40-hour workweek and the opportunity for advancement."
Don't focus on your replacement. If you're leaving because another candidate was offered your position, don't mention him or her in the letter. It's best to state that you're leaving because of the opportunity that presented itself. For example: "I'm leaving to take a position at another company that aligns more closely with my career goals."
Don't list your accomplishments. Your letter shouldn't be a brag sheet about how great you are. Mentioning your successes in the two-week notice resignation letter makes it seem like you're reminding your current employer of all the great things you've done, or that you're trying to defend yourself. For example: "I built our company's social networking presence from 0 to 10 million Facebook fans in six months."
Don't write something dramatic. This letter isn't a goodbye forever or thank-you for everything document. It's a neutral letter that discusses the transition from your current role to your next one. For example: "It has been an honor working here and I'm excited for this next chapter in my life."
Don't use jargon. Make sure you're using clear, everyday language that doesn't include acronyms or tech speak. For example: "I've accepted a position as a manager at another company."
Don't make threats or say anything negative. This can create legal problems for you, and it shows that you don't know how to handle difficult situations in the workplace. For example: "If I don't receive a full severance package, I will sue your company."
Don't include a reason why you're leaving. Mentioning your reasons for quitting, whether it's because of the company culture or hours worked, can come off as unprofessional and defensive. For example: "I left the company because I was always working overtime and never got thanked for my efforts."
Don't be flowery. Don't try and make your resignation letter poetic or gorgeous. It's a business document; keep it professional and straightforward by sticking to the facts.

What is a letter of resignation?

A letter of resignation is a document that states the reason for leaving a job. It is usually written by an employee to his or her employer. Facts about the company are often included in a professional resignation letter. Some employers also require that the reason for leaving be stated in order to prevent potential issues with other employees who may 'follow suit'.

How to write a resignation letter?

Use the four-step process outlined below to write a formal letter of resignation which will get results:

The Introduction — The introduction should be the last paragraph you write. It should begin with an explanation of why you're writing your letter — that is, that you're resigning from your job. It should also mention when your resignation takes effect. You can close the introduction by indicating that if any issues arise in this transition time that you recommend discussing them with your boss.
The Body of the Letter — In this section, you provide examples from your own experiences that illustrate the problems you're having with your boss. If there are several issues, write about one issue in each paragraph and use specific examples to explain how these issues have affected you and your work. You can reference earlier conversations about these problems to help make your case.
The Closing Paragraph — Write a final paragraph that closes with your willingness to meet with your boss prior to leaving if there are specific concerns that need further discussion. You may also offer to provide references or whatever additional information they require before you leave. Close by thanking them for their time and consideration.
The Signature Section — This is the last section of your letter of resignation. Type your name, title, and contact information at the bottom of your letter where indicated. This section may also include a line indicating that any issues with your departure should be discussed with your immediate supervisor or whoever is your superior.

Do employers have to honor a 2-week notice resignation letter?

Whether your employer would honor your 2-week notice resignation letter or not depends on the terms and conditions of your employment contract. This is why it is important for you to know your rights and obligations as an employee before giving such notice.

For employers, 2-week resignation letters are considered unreasonable because this short period of time would put the company at a great disadvantage due to having one less member in the team and possibly disrupting or stopping business processes that require the latest information or data. For this, the company is usually left with the responsibility of finding a replacement for your position within 2 weeks, or else they might be forced to shut down some divisions or make drastic changes to their business.

For employees, giving a two-week notice of resignation is problematic. This would mean that not only are you quitting your job without any sufficient reasons, but you are also giving your employer very little time to either find a replacement or adjust their manpower needs for their business. Either way, both the company and the employee lose out on valuable resources with this type of resignation.

When possible, an extended notice of 2-week resignation is advisable because it gives both you and your employer more time to plan and adjust accordingly. It also gives you the opportunity to look for another job instead of "throwing in the towel" and leaving your employer high and dry.

If you still decide to give a 2-week notice, then keep it brief and straight-to-the-point by just stating that you would be leaving after such time has passed. Include the reason why you are leaving if it is not personal, but try to keep your reasons short and sweet.

Can you email a 2-week notice of resignation?

Yes, you can email your 2-week resignation letter to your employer. It ensures that your employer won't take the matter as a surprise and you will have time to print your resignation letter. It can be easily mailed to them if you know their mailing address.

Is a two-week resignation notice 10 or 14 days?

A two-week resignation letter usually means 10 business days.

What is a good resignation letter?

A good resignation letter should have the following:

An explanation for why the writer is leaving his or her job
Specific information regarding when, where, and how the resignation will be given to the employer
Confirmation that all company property has been returned to the employer
A thank you, if appropriate

What is the difference between a two-week notice resignation letter and a 30-day notice resignation letter?

The difference between a two-week notice letter and a 30-day notice letter is the timing by which it is delivered. A 30-day notice resignation letter can be given up to 30 days before you intend to quit your job while a 2-week notice resignation letter must be given at least two weeks before you quit your job.

A 30-day notice letter is a proper way to notify your employer that you will be quitting your position. A 30-day notice letter can reassure your employer that you are not leaving them in a lurch and provide the opportunity to find a replacement. In addition, it allows you time to look for a new job before you leave your current occupation.

A two-week notice letter is essentially the same thing, but it must be used with at least 2 weeks' notice. If you choose to quit your job without two weeks' notice, you are essentially breaking an agreement written in most employee handbooks that state workers must submit their resignation with 2 weeks' notice before they quit their position. A two-week notice letter is important because it both provides two weeks' notice and ensures that your employer is not caught by surprise when you leave.

Both a 30-day notice letter and a 2-week notice letter should contain information in which you express your intent to resign from your employment position, state the last day that you intend to work in that position, and highlight aspects of your employment that you enjoyed.

In addition, a 30-day notice letter and a 2-week notice letter should include an explanation of why you are leaving your job to provide closure for your boss or employer. Your letter should also include information about any benefits you would like them to continue while you're out of the office. Furthermore, it is a good idea to include information about how you would like your employer to contact you in the future.

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