Two weeks' notice letter.
A US-standard two weeks' notice letter — explicitly references the two-week period, the last working day, and the standard handover offer. Keeps to the convention without being slavish to it.
Download the two weeks' notice letter
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[Date] Dear [Manager Name], This letter is to provide two weeks' notice of my resignation from my position as [Title] at [Company Name]. My last working day will be [Last Day — exactly two weeks from above]. I am happy to support a smooth handover during the notice period — completing in-flight work, documenting open items, and briefing whoever picks up my responsibilities…
What's inside the document.
Your name and the date of the letter. The date matters: it sets the start of the two-week clock.
Opening: 'This letter is to provide two weeks' notice of my resignation from my position as [Title] at [Company Name].'
Explicit calendar date for the last working day — calculated as two weeks from the letter's date.
Sentence offering reasonable handover support during the notice period.
One-line acknowledgement of the opportunity. Keep it sincere and short.
Sign-off, signature, printed name.
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — print or attach to email
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this letter
- Personal-use licence (your own resignation)
Three formats, one document.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
6 steps from download to use.
- 01Open the letter and confirm the date — this sets the two-week clock.
- 02Calculate the last working day exactly two weeks from the letter date. State it explicitly.
- 03Replace the [Manager Name], [Title], and [Company Name] placeholders.
- 04Edit the handover offer to reflect what you can realistically support — do not over-promise.
- 05Print and sign, or save as PDF for email.
- 06Deliver in person if possible. Email the PDF as the written record.
The right document at the right moment.
Use the two weeks' notice letter for US professional resignations where the contract or company policy expects two weeks' notice. This is the convention in most US individual-contributor and mid-management roles and the standard the receiving manager expects to see.
For senior or executive roles, two weeks is often the minimum and longer notice is common. For AU professional roles, four weeks is the conventional minimum; use the simple resignation letter and adjust the notice paragraph.
Honest answers before you download.
- Is two weeks legally required in the US?
- No — US employment is generally at-will, meaning either side can end the relationship without notice. Two weeks is a professional convention, not a legal requirement, except where a written employment contract specifies a longer minimum.
- What if I can't provide two weeks?
- Acknowledge it in the letter and offer what you can. Some situations (a family emergency, an immediate new-role start) genuinely require shorter notice. Burning the bridge is rarely worth the speed.
- Do I have to write a resignation letter?
- In most jurisdictions, no — verbal resignation is legally sufficient. But a written letter creates a clean record of the date, the notice period, and the terms, which protects both sides. It also helps your manager process the departure smoothly.
- How much notice should I give?
- Check your employment contract first — most specify a minimum (commonly 2 weeks in the US, 4 weeks in AU professional roles). If your contract is silent, 2 weeks is the standard professional minimum; senior roles and tightly-coupled teams often warrant longer.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
This two weeks' notice letter template is a professionally drafted starting point and is not legal advice. The clauses follow current US and AU practice; adapt the document for your specific jurisdiction and have qualified counsel review any clauses you add before signing or distributing. Full disclaimer.