Two Weeks Notice Template: Free Letter Generator + Examples

What should a two weeks notice letter include?

A two week resignation letter should be short. Your manager needs the facts in writing, not your life story. Include these six parts:

1. The date you are handing in the letter.
2. Your manager’s name in the greeting.
3. A clear statement that you are resigning, with your job title.
4. Your exact last day of work, written as a date.
5. A brief thank-you, one or two sentences.
6. An offer to help with the transition, followed by your signature.

Leave out complaints, salary details and anything you would not want HR to read years from now. The letter goes in your personnel file.

Two weeks notice template

Fill in the brackets to create a basic 2 week notice, or use the generator above to do it for you.

[Date]

Dear [Manager’s name],

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [company name]. My last day of work will be [day, month date, year].

Thank you for the opportunity to work here over the past [length of time]. I appreciate the support and the experience I have gained.

Over the next two weeks, I will finish my current work and help train my replacement. Please let me know how I can make the transition as smooth as possible.

Sincerely,

[Signature, if printed]
[Your full name]

6 sample two weeks notice letters

Each 2 weeks notice example below uses fictional names. Swap in your own details and keep the tone that fits your workplace.

1. Standard two weeks notice letter

October 9, 2026

Dear Ms. Patel,

Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as Inventory Coordinator at Northwind Logistics. My last day will be Friday, October 23, 2026.

Thank you for the past three years. I have learned a great deal about warehouse operations from you and the team.

I will spend the next two weeks documenting my weekly reports and training whoever will take over my accounts.

Sincerely,

Jordan Lee

2. Grateful resignation letter

October 9, 2026

Dear Dr. Morgan,

I am writing to let you know that I am resigning from my role as Dental Assistant at Brightside Dental. My last day will be Friday, October 23, 2026.

This was not an easy decision. You hired me straight out of my training program and gave me room to grow, and I am grateful for every bit of coaching along the way. I will miss working with this team and our patients.

Before I leave, I will make sure the sterilization logs and supply orders are up to date, and I am happy to train my replacement.

With appreciation,

Taylor Nguyen

3. Two weeks notice for a new opportunity

October 9, 2026

Dear Mr. Alvarez,

Please accept this letter as formal notice that I am resigning from my position as Marketing Specialist at Bluefin Marketing. I have accepted a role that will let me focus on product marketing, and my last day here will be Friday, October 23, 2026.

Thank you for trusting me with the spring campaign and for supporting my growth over the past two years.

I will hand off my client files, campaign calendars and vendor contacts before I leave. Please let me know who should receive them.

Best regards,

Marcus Hill

4. Resignation email sample

Use a clear subject line so your email is not missed.

Subject: Resignation, Alex Rivera, last day October 23

Hi Dana,

As we discussed this morning, I am resigning from my position as Customer Success Associate at Summit Ridge Credit Union. My last day will be Friday, October 23, 2026.

Thank you for your support over the past 18 months. I have enjoyed working with you and the team.

I will put together a handoff document for my open member cases by next Wednesday. I am also happy to help train my replacement.

Best regards,
Alex Rivera
(614) 555-0142
alex.rivera@example.com

5. Short notice letter (less than two weeks)

October 9, 2026

Dear Ms. Brooks,

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as Office Assistant at Maple Street Bakery. Due to a family matter that needs my attention, my last day will be Friday, October 16, 2026.

I am sorry that I cannot give a full two weeks. I have written step-by-step notes for ordering, invoicing and the weekly schedule so the next person can pick up quickly.

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this team.

Sincerely,

Sam Ortiz

6. Two weeks notice for a retail or hourly job

October 9, 2026

Dear Mr. Chen,

Please accept this letter as my two weeks notice. I am resigning from my position as Cashier at Harborview Grocery, and my last day will be Friday, October 23, 2026.

I will work all of my scheduled shifts through that date. If it helps with coverage, I can also pick up an extra shift next weekend.

Thank you for being a flexible and fair manager. I have enjoyed working here.

Sincerely,

Casey Morgan

How to put in your 2 weeks notice, step by step

1. Check your offer letter, contract or handbook. Some employers ask for more notice, or tie your unused paid time off to giving notice.
2. Pick your last day. Count two weeks from the day you will tell your manager. If timing matters, check when your final pay date lands using our guide to pay periods in a year.
3. Write your letter. Use the generator above or one of the samples. Keep it to one page.
4. Tell your manager first. Ask for a private meeting, a call or a video chat. Your manager should not hear the news from a coworker or HR.
5. Hand over or send the letter right away. Give a printed copy at the meeting, or email it right after and copy HR if your company requires it.
6. Make a handoff plan. List your open projects, deadlines, key contacts and where important files are saved.
7. Ask HR about your final paycheck and benefits. Confirm your last paycheck date, any payout of unused time off, and when your health coverage ends.

What to say to your boss when you give notice

Keep the conversation short and calm. You can use this script:

“Thanks for making time. I wanted to tell you in person that I have decided to resign. My last day will be Friday, October 23. I have really valued working with you, and I want to make this transition easy for the team. I have started a list of my open projects and can go over it with you this week. I will send my formal letter today.”

If your manager asks why you are leaving, give one honest, positive reason:

“I accepted a role that moves me into project management, which is the direction I want to grow. It was a hard decision because I have learned a lot here.”

If you get a counteroffer you do not plan to take:

“Thank you, I appreciate that. I have made my decision, and I want to focus on leaving things in good shape.”

For more ways to phrase your reasons, see our guide to reasons for leaving a job.

Is two weeks notice legally required in the US?

In most cases, no. Two weeks is a professional custom, not a federal law. Most US jobs are at-will, which means either the employer or the employee can generally end the job at any time. A Bureau of Labor Statistics review of the at-will doctrine describes US employment as terminable by either side, with exceptions courts have added over time.

The U.S. Department of Labor notes that a termination that does not involve discrimination, whistleblower protections or a complaint under a law it enforces is generally subject only to any private contract between the employer and employee. Some state agencies spell this out. Minnesota’s Department of Labor and Industry, for example, states that no notice of separation by either party is required by law in that state, and that notice is usually given as a courtesy and to collect accrued benefits.

Notice can still matter in a few situations:

• You signed an employment contract that sets a notice period.
• You are covered by a union agreement with its own rules.
• Company policy ties benefits to notice, such as paying out unused vacation only if you give two weeks.
• You want to be eligible for rehire or get a good reference later.

If you signed a contract and are unsure what it requires, ask HR or an employment attorney before you resign.

What happens after you give two weeks notice?

Your employer may accept your last day or end your job sooner. In an at-will job, some employers ask people to leave the same day they resign. Whether you get paid for the rest of the notice period depends on state law, your contract and company policy.

Your final paycheck timing depends on your state. Federal law does not require employers to hand over a final paycheck immediately, but some states do, according to the Department of Labor. Check your state labor department for the deadline.

Unused vacation follows company policy and state law. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacation, according to the Department of Labor. Whether unused time is paid out depends on your agreement with your employer and your state’s rules.

You may be able to keep your health insurance. Under COBRA, group health plans at employers with 20 or more employees generally must offer continuation coverage after a job loss, including leaving voluntarily. Ask HR for the enrollment deadline and cost.

Wrap up well. Return company equipment, finish your handoff notes, and keep any exit interview feedback specific and polite. Then update your resume while your accomplishments are fresh. Our resume summary examples can help you describe the job you just left.