Example two weeks notice email
Tips for your two weeks notice email
- Say the words “two weeks’ notice” in the first paragraph so nobody has to work out what you mean.
- Put the exact last day in the email, with the date and weekday, not just “in two weeks”.
- Keep it under about 150 words. The conversation matters more than the email.
- Read it once as if it will be forwarded to HR and your manager’s manager, because it may be.
What to avoid
- Sending the email before you have spoken to your manager when you can speak to them
- Putting the whole team on the To or Cc line
- Explaining or criticizing anything you would not say in a meeting
Subject lines that work
The subject line decides whether your email is read as a resignation or lost among routine messages. Pick one that says what it is:
- Resignation – Alex Morgan is short and what HR teams expect to see.
- Two weeks’ notice – Alex Morgan makes the notice period obvious at a glance.
- Notice of resignation – Alex Morgan, Marketing Manager suits larger companies where several people share a name or a title.
Avoid vague subjects such as “Quick update” or “Can we talk?”. They look like routine mail and delay the response you want.
When to send it
Send the email after you have told your manager, ideally the same day. Early in the week gives your team time to plan, and mid-morning gives HR time to reply before everyone logs off. If your manager works in another time zone or you cannot reach them, send the email and ask for a call; say so in one line rather than leaving them to learn it from a calendar invite.
Who to send it to, and who to leave out
Put your direct manager on the To line. Add HR on Cc if your handbook or onboarding material says resignations go through HR, or if your manager asks. Leave out the wider team: colleagues should hear it from your manager or from you, in a message you choose, after your manager has agreed how the news will be shared.
A shorter version
If you want the minimum, switch the tone to “Short and simple” in the form above. It produces something like this:
After you hit send
Ask your manager to confirm your last day in writing, and ask HR what paperwork or steps come next. Start a short handover document that lists open projects, who to contact and where files live. If you are unsure of the exact date, use the two weeks notice calculator before you send.
Not legal advice. This page is general information. Notice rules, final-pay deadlines and benefits differ by country, state and employer, and your contract can change the answer. Check your own paperwork, or ask a qualified employment professional if a lot is at stake.