Free tool · United Kingdom

UK resignation letter

In the UK your contract sets your notice, above a legal minimum of one week. The letter states your notice and proposes your last day, and it is the record your employer uses for your final pay and your P45.

Your notice runs from the day after you hand it in, unless your contract says otherwise.
Write "Yours sincerely" to a named person and "Yours faithfully" after "Dear Sir or Madam".
Titles have no full stop in British English: Mr Patel, Dr Shah.

Free, and there is no account. The letter is written in this browser from what you type, and it is sent nowhere.

Example

UK resignation letter: a worked example.

Written by the generator above from the details in the caption.

A UK resignation with one month's contractual notice.

2 November 2026

Mr Mark Ellis
Finance Director
Halden & Rowe LLP
Leeds

Dear Mr Ellis,

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Senior Accountant in the Finance department at Halden & Rowe LLP. In line with my notice period of one month, I propose Wednesday, 2 December 2026 as my last working day, subject to confirmation.

Before my last day, I will hand over my ongoing work, files and contacts. Please let me know who will take over my work, so that we can plan the handover.

Thank you for the opportunities I have had at Halden & Rowe LLP and for the support of the team during my time here.

Please let me know the arrangements for my final pay, including pay for any holiday I have not taken.

I wish Halden & Rowe LLP continued success.

Yours sincerely,
Emily Carter
Senior Accountant

Contractual and statutory notice

Once you have worked for an employer for a month, the law says you must give at least one week's notice. Your contract or written statement usually asks for more, often a month, and longer for senior roles. Whichever is longer applies.

When your notice starts

If your contract does not say, notice starts the day after you give it. One month's notice handed in on Monday, 2 November 2026 ends on Wednesday, 2 December 2026.

Leaving early, garden leave and pay in lieu

To leave before your notice ends, agree it with your employer and get the agreement in an email or letter. Leaving early without agreement is likely to breach your contract. Your employer may put you on garden leave, paid but not working, or pay you in lieu of notice if your contract allows or you agree.

Holiday and final pay

You may be able to take your remaining statutory holiday during your notice. Any statutory holiday you have not taken must be paid when you leave. Your employer should give you a P45 when you leave, so ask when you will get it.

Sources

Checked on 22 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Your contract and your employer’s policy decide your notice.

More letters

Related resignation letters.

Each one opens the generator set up for that case.

Questions

Common questions.

How much notice do I have to give in the UK?

At least one week once you have worked there for a month, or more if your contract says so. You and your employer can agree a shorter notice.

Does my notice period start the day I resign?

Not usually. If your contract does not say, notice starts the day after you give it. The generator counts it that way and lets you count the letter date instead if your contract does.

Should I write Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully?

"Yours sincerely" when you greet someone by name, such as "Dear Sarah" or "Dear Ms Thompson". "Yours faithfully" when you write "Dear Sir or Madam". The generator picks the right one.

Can I use holiday to shorten my notice?

You can ask. You may be able to take your remaining statutory holiday during your notice, and your employer must pay for statutory holiday you have not taken when you leave.