Do you have to give two weeks notice?

In most US jobs, no law requires it: all states except Montana allow at-will employment, where either side can end the job at any time. Your contract, union agreement or handbook may ask for more, so check them. Two weeks is the custom, and it protects your reference.

Can I send my 2 weeks notice by email?

Yes. Tell your manager in person or on a call first if you can, then send the email the same day so there is a written record with the date.

Does two weeks notice include weekends?

Two weeks usually means 14 calendar days, which is ten working days for a Monday to Friday job. Write the exact date of your last day in the letter and nobody has to count.

What if my employer tells me to leave right away?

In an at-will job they can end it sooner, so be ready for that: take home anything personal before you hand in the letter. Ask HR how your final paycheck and any unused vacation will be paid.

Should I give a reason in my 2 week notice letter?

You do not have to. A short, positive reason is fine if you want one, such as a new role or a move. Leave complaints out of the letter entirely.

Two week notice letter: templates to copy and send

Here is the standard two weeks notice letter. It works for almost any job: copy it, replace everything in square brackets, and date it today.

[Today's date] Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [company name]. My last day will be [date, two weeks from today]. Thank you for the opportunity to work here. Over the next two weeks I will do everything I can to hand over my work smoothly, including [finishing current projects / training my replacement / writing up my open tasks]. Sincerely, [Your name]

Short two weeks notice letter

When you want it short and simple, this is all a two weeks notice needs:

Dear [Manager's name], I am resigning from my position as [job title]. My last day will be [date]. Thank you for everything. [Your name]

Two weeks notice email

Many people send it by email. Put your name in the subject line so it is easy to find later.

Subject: Resignation, [Your name] Hi [Manager's name], As we discussed today, I am resigning from my position as [job title]. My last day will be [date], two weeks from today. I will make sure my work is handed over before I go. Please let me know what you would like me to prioritize. Thank you for the support while I have been here. Best regards, [Your name] [Phone number]

2 week notice letter with a reason

Give a reason only if it is short and positive. (What you tell your next employer is a different question: see reasons for leaving a job.) These three cover most cases; use one sentence.

Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as my two weeks notice. My last day as [job title] will be [date]. I have accepted a position that will let me [move into project management / work closer to home / grow in a new direction], and it was not an easy decision. Thank you for the last [number] years. I will do all I can to make the handover smooth. Sincerely, [Your name]

Other one-sentence reasons that work in that middle paragraph:

My family is relocating to [city], so I am not able to continue in this role. I am going back to school full time in [month]. I have decided to step away to care for a family member.

Two week notice letter with thanks

For a job you liked, or a manager you want as a reference later:

Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice that I am resigning from my position as [job title]. My last day will be [date]. I want to thank you for the past [number] years. I have learned more here than in any job before it, especially [one specific thing: how to run a team / how to handle difficult customers / how to manage a budget]. Working with you and the team has been a pleasure. I will spend the next two weeks making sure everything is handed over. I hope we stay in touch, and you can always reach me at [personal email]. With thanks, [Your name]

Short notice or effective immediately

Sometimes two weeks is not possible. Say so plainly, give the earliest date you can, and keep the tone polite: you may still want a reference from this employer.

Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title]. Because of [a family emergency / personal circumstances / a health matter], my last day will be [date]. I am sorry I cannot give two weeks. Before I go, I will [write up my open tasks / pass my accounts to a colleague] so the team has what it needs. Thank you for understanding. Sincerely, [Your name]

What to include in a 2 week notice letter

The date at the top.
That you are resigning, in the first sentence.
Your job title.
Your last day, as an exact date.
A thank-you, even a short one.
An offer to help with the handover, if you mean it.
Your personal email or phone, if you want to be reachable later.

What to leave out

Complaints about your manager, your pay or your coworkers. The letter stays in your file long after you leave.
Details of your new job, such as the company or salary. They are not your current employer's business.
Anything you would not want read aloud. Say the hard things in an exit interview, if at all.
Promises you cannot keep, such as finishing a project that will take a month.

How to hand in your two weeks notice

Check your contract or handbook for the notice period it asks for. Some jobs ask for more than two weeks.
Take home anything personal from your desk or locker, and move your own personal files (never company files) off your work computer, in case you are asked to leave that day.
Tell your manager first, in a short meeting or call. Start with the news: "I wanted to tell you first: I have decided to resign. My last day will be [date]." Giving verbal notice first is a courtesy; the letter is the record.
Hand over or email the letter the same day, and copy HR if your company asks you to.
Ask HR about your final paycheck, unused vacation, and benefits such as health insurance.
Work the two weeks well. Write up your open tasks and say goodbye to the people you worked with.

Is two weeks notice required?

Most US jobs are at-will: every state except Montana allows employment where either side can end the job at any time. So in most jobs no law requires two weeks notice. A contract, a union agreement or a public-sector job can set different rules, so check yours. Two weeks is still the professional custom, and keeping to it is what keeps your reference.

Whether or not the next job is lined up, update your resume while your recent work is fresh in your mind. You can start from the PDF you have.

Two weeks notice letter: copy one, fill in the brackets, send it today

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