A two weeks notice letter is a short written note telling your employer you are resigning and naming your last working day, usually 14 calendar days or ten business days from the date you send it. It needs three things: the fact that you are resigning, your last day, and your name. Everything else, such as thanks or an offer to help with the handoff, is optional. Below are five short templates you can copy, plus what the law generally does and does not require.
This page is the quick-template version. If you want help deciding what to explain, handling a counteroffer, or planning the handoff, read our full guide on how to write a resignation letter.
Is two weeks notice legally required?
Usually not. Most US jobs are "at will." Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute explains that under the at-will doctrine, there is no set period of employment, and either the employer or the employee can end the relationship at any time, for almost any reason (though employers cannot fire people for illegal reasons, such as discrimination). Two weeks is a professional custom, not a general legal rule. This page is general information, not legal advice for your situation.
That custom can become an obligation in some situations. Check these before you decide how much notice to give:
| Your situation | What it generally means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| At-will job with no contract | No legal notice period in most cases; two weeks is courtesy | Employee handbook, in case it ties notice to PTO payout or rehire eligibility |
| Written employment contract | The contract may set a notice period, sometimes longer than two weeks | The termination or notice clause |
| Union job | The collective bargaining agreement may set rules | Your contract or union representative |
| Bonus, relocation or tuition agreement | Leaving early may mean repaying money | Repayment and clawback terms |
| Senior or client-facing role | Not a legal rule, but three to four weeks is often expected | What predecessors in the role gave |
At-will works both ways: your employer can also accept your resignation and end your job before the two weeks are up. More on that below.
How to count two weeks
Name an exact date, not "two weeks from today." If you send your letter on Monday, November 2, a common last day is Friday, November 13 (ten business days) or Monday, November 16 (14 calendar days). Either is normal. Pick the one that matches your start date at the next job and leaves you a day or two of buffer.
Five short two weeks notice templates
1. Standard letter
Dear [Manager's name],
Please accept this letter as my two weeks notice of resignation from my position as [job title] at [Company]. My last day will be [date].
Thank you for the opportunity to work here. I will do what I can to make the transition smooth.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
2. Email version
Subject: Resignation, [Your name], last day [date]
Hi [Manager's name],
I'm writing to give my two weeks notice. My last day at [Company] will be [date]. I'm grateful for the support I've had on the team. Over the next two weeks I'll finish [project] and write handoff notes for my open work. Please let me know if HR needs anything else from me.
Best,
[Your name]
3. Long tenure, warm tone
Dear [Manager's name],
After [number] years at [Company], I have decided to accept a new role, and my last day will be [date]. This was not an easy decision. I have learned a great deal here, especially from [specific project or person], and I am proud of what our team built.
I would like to help with the transition, including training whoever takes on [responsibility]. Thank you for everything.
Warm regards,
[Your name]
4. Brief and neutral (difficult workplace)
Dear [Manager's name],
I am resigning from my position as [job title], effective [date]. I will complete my current assignments and leave notes on open items before my last day.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
You do not owe a reason. If you have complaints about harassment, discrimination or pay, a resignation letter is not the best place to raise them; report them through HR or the proper channel, and keep your own copies of anything relevant.
5. Offering flexibility on the last day
Dear [Manager's name],
Please accept this as my formal notice of resignation from [job title]. My planned last day is [date]. If it helps the team, I can be available for a short call or two after I leave to answer questions about [system or project].
Thank you for the opportunities I've had here.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Only offer post-departure help you will actually give, and keep it limited. Our out-of-office message examples include wording for your final day.
What to say before you hand it over
Where you can, tell your manager in a short private conversation or video call first, then send the letter the same day so there is a written record with the date. A 30-second script:
"I wanted to tell you directly that I've accepted another position. My last day will be [date]. I'll send my notice in writing today, and I'd like to talk about how to hand off [main responsibilities]."
If your manager asks where you are going or why, you can answer briefly or simply say you'd rather keep the focus on a good handoff. If you work remotely or your manager is in another time zone, a scheduled call followed by the email works the same way.
When you can't give two weeks
Sometimes a full two weeks is not possible: a health or family situation, a new employer with a fixed start date, or a workplace that feels unsafe. In an at-will job without a contract that says otherwise, shorter notice is generally allowed, though it can affect rehire eligibility or a handbook PTO payout rule. Be honest and brief, and offer what you realistically can:
"Due to personal circumstances, my last day will be [date], which is less than the two weeks I would have liked to give. Before then I will finish [task] and leave written notes on [open items]."
Your final paycheck: timing depends on your state
There is no single national rule. The U.S. Department of Labor states that federal law does not require employers to give former employees their final paycheck immediately, and that some states do require prompt or immediate payment. The rules often differ depending on whether you quit or were let go, and whether you gave notice.
California is a useful example of how specific state rules can be. According to the California Labor Commissioner's Office, an employee without a fixed-term contract who quits with at least 72 hours of notice must be paid all wages, including accrued vacation, at the time of quitting. One who quits without 72 hours of notice must be paid within 72 hours. An employee who is discharged must be paid immediately. Other states set different deadlines, so look up your state's rule through the Department of Labor's list of state labor offices before your last day.
Questions to ask HR before you leave:
- When and how will my final paycheck arrive?
- Will unused vacation or PTO be paid out? (This varies by state and by company policy.)
- When does my health coverage end? If your employer had 20 or more employees in the prior year, federal COBRA rules generally let you continue group health coverage for a limited time, though you may pay up to 102% of the plan's cost.
- What happens to my 401(k), unvested equity, or flexible spending account balance?
- How do I return equipment?
If you are asked to leave immediately
Some employers end employment the day you give notice, especially in sales, finance or roles with access to sensitive data. In an at-will job, this is generally allowed. It is often routine policy, not a judgment of you. What to do:
- Stay calm and ask for the details in writing: your official separation date, whether you will be paid for the notice period, and when your final paycheck will arrive.
- Do not assume you will be paid for the two weeks. Employers generally are not required to pay out a notice period you did not work unless a contract, policy or state rule says so. Some do anyway.
- Ask how the separation will be recorded. Whether it is listed as a resignation or a termination can matter for references and for unemployment benefits. Unemployment eligibility in this situation varies by state, so contact your state unemployment office if you will have a gap before your new job.
- Collect personal files only. Do not copy company documents or client lists, even ones you created.
- Tell your new employer only if needed. Some can move your start date up, but do not count on it.
A short reply you can send:
"Thank you for letting me know. Could you confirm in writing my separation date, whether I'll be paid through [original last day], and when I'll receive my final paycheck and information about benefits? I'm happy to send handoff notes for [project] today."
Mistakes to avoid
- Resigning before your new offer is final. Wait until you have a written offer and any conditions (background check, references) are cleared. Our guide on how to accept a job offer covers what "final" looks like.
- Vague dates. "Two weeks from now" causes disputes. Write the date.
- Venting. The letter goes in your file. Keep criticism out.
- Telling coworkers first. News travels; your manager should hear it from you.
- Not keeping a copy. Save a copy of the email or a PDF of the letter in your personal files.
If you are preparing to explain this move in a future interview, our guide to reasons for leaving a job has wording that stays honest without sounding negative.