Are you ready to write your notice to quit? You’ve come to the right place. Our recruitment experts reveal how to determine your notice period, know your employee rights, and give tips on negotiating a shorter notice period if you need one.
You’ll also get a best-practise template for writing your notice to quit, plus additional information on how to give exit interview feedback amicably. This is everything you need to know about handing a notice in at work!
A notice period is the time between submitting your notice to quit and your final day at work. As the name suggests, it gives your employers enough notice to hire a replacement to fill your role. It also gives you time to organise a comprehensive handover of your tasks and projects.
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A notice period is also your opportunity to voice concerns about the business or culture via an exit interview. Your employers can use the information to continue evolving internal processes and culture to retain remaining professionals and improve themselves.
As a rule of thumb, your notice period length will depend on how long you've been with the company and how senior your position is. Juniors or staff members who have worked at the company for less than two years will likely have a standard one-week notice period. If you've been with the company for two years or more, you'll usually be expected to give a week for every complete year you've worked.
Citizens Advice recommends leaving at least one week's notice as a courtesy if you don't have a notice period written into your contract. You might be tempted to skip this, but maintaining a good relationship with your employers can benefit your career in the long term via robust professional networks and glowing testimonials.
Read more: How to resign from your job
It's usually standard for businesses to insist on a notice period; most will have it written into employment contracts. However, you can negotiate better leaving terms for yourself if necessary. Breaching your contract and leaving without working your agreed notice period can result in your employer taking you to court, especially if they stand to lose earnings through your absence.
Your notice period can be reduced, pending an agreement with your employer. You can make a strong case for early release by presenting an action plan to have any urgent work finished and an adequate handover prepared.
If you need extra leverage during your negotiations, Citizens Advice recommends reminding your employers that an earlier exit could save the company money, as they won't need to keep you on the payroll for longer.
Read more: How to introduce yourself on the first day of a new job
It's always advantageous to know your rights as an employee before taking any drastic action in the workplace, resignation included. Before you write your notice to quit and call a meeting with your manager, check your contract to see the terms of termination and how much notice you need to give.
Checking your contract before you quit could also reveal what your employer will do with your unused holiday days. Some put unused holiday towards garden leave or an earlier finish date, and some prefer to pay for unused holiday so they can hold onto their employees for the entire notice period.
Read more: How to write a letter of resignation – UK template and guide
Much like your cover letter or CV, your notice to quit should also be tailored to suit your role and situation. Here’s a notice period template letter that you can use to help get started:
[Date]
[Company name]
[Company address]
Dear [name of manager],
I'm writing to formally notify you of my resignation from the [your position] position at [Company Name]. My last day of employment will be [last day of work], per my contracted [notice period].
[Include a brief, professional explanation for your departure here.]
I’m grateful for the opportunities you have given me during the last [number of years/months] at [company name]. I’ve enjoyed working for the company and appreciate the support provided to me during my time here.
Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help make this transition easier. I intend to have a smooth departure, with all my projects completed or properly handed over before my last day.
Thank you again for the opportunity to work at [company name]. I wish you and the company all the best for the future.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your typed name]
This ‘hand your notice in’ template has the following essential components:
Addresses your manager directly
Is dated and signed
States an intent to leave and a brief overview of why
States your contractual notice period and your finish date
Concludes with a thank you
First impressions aren't the only ones that count. It's vital to leave your employer with a positive opinion of you so they're more likely to give a glowing testimonial to your future employers.
Our recruitment experts recommend delivering on the promises in your notice to quit regarding thorough handovers and project completions. Ensure you're leaving the company with all work completed and that you've taken the time to create thorough handover guides for your replacement or colleagues. You may even find it helpful to arrange a handover meeting so you can go through any documentation in person and answer any questions. It's also crucial to keep working to an excellent standard, rather than giving into the temptation to take your foot off the pedal as your last day approaches.
Giving constructive feedback during your exit interview is also an excellent idea, rather than using it as an opportunity to air your grievances. Approach each piece of feedback from a neutral perspective and provide helpful suggestions for how you feel this could be improved. Remember to share positive feedback, too! This way, both you and the company can grow from the experience.
Once your notice period is complete, visit our job finder hub and let us help you plan your next career move. You can also find more career development advice and insights on the Robert Half blog.
