A two weeks’ notice letter tells your employer in writing that you are resigning and that your last day will be two weeks away. It needs your job title, the date of your last day and your name. Two or three short paragraphs are enough.
In most US jobs, two weeks is a professional custom and not a legal requirement. State labor agencies in Missouri and Texas, for example, say the law there does not require an employee to give notice. A contract, a union agreement or the law in another country can require more, so check yours before you pick a date.
Key takeaways
- State the fact and the date: you are resigning, and your last day of work is a specific calendar date.
- Two weeks is a custom in most US jobs. A contract or handbook can ask for more, and it is worth honoring either way.
- Count ten working days from the day you give notice, and write the date out so nobody has to count.
- Your employer may end your employment before the two weeks are up. Be ready before you hand the letter in.
- Spend the two weeks on the handover. It shapes the reference you leave behind.
01
Is two weeks’ notice required by law?
In the United States, usually not, unless you agreed to it. Two state agencies put it plainly:
- The Missouri Department of Labor’s answer to whether an employee must give two weeks’ notice when quitting is “No.” The state follows the employment-at-will doctrine, which it says does not require any notice.
- The Texas Workforce Commission tells employers that no advance notice of termination or resignation is required in Texas.
Those are two states, and the details differ elsewhere, so look up your own state labor agency if it matters. What can require notice, wherever you are:
- An employment contract with a notice clause. Read it before you choose a date.
- A union agreement that sets terms for leaving.
- The law outside the United States, where notice periods are often set by statute or contract and can be much longer than two weeks.
Company policy matters even when the law is silent. The University of Washington, for instance, tells staff that at least two weeks’ notice is “strongly encouraged.” Some employers also tie things you care about to proper notice, such as eligibility for rehire, so read the handbook.
Notice can affect your final paycheck, too. In California, an employee without a fixed-term contract who gives at least 72 hours’ notice and leaves on the stated day must be paid all wages, including accrued vacation, at the time of quitting. Without that notice, the employer has 72 hours. Federal law does not require final pay immediately, and some states set their own deadlines.
02
What should a two weeks’ notice letter include?
- The date you are giving notice.
- A plain statement that you are resigning from your position, with your job title.
- Your last day of work, written as a calendar date.
- An offer to hand over your work, in one sentence.
- A line of thanks. Specific is better than warm.
- Your name, plus a personal email address for final paperwork.
Leave out your reasons, your new employer and any criticism. The resignation letter guide explains what to keep out of the file, and has templates for short notice and for leaving immediately.
To count the two weeks, start from the day you give notice and work ten business days. If you resign on a Monday, your last day is the Friday of the following week. Then check the date against any bonus or vesting date and the start date you agreed when you accepted the new offer. If your manager asks you to stay longer, you can say no politely: “My start date is fixed, but I will make sure everything is documented.”
03
Two weeks’ notice letter templates
Tell your manager in person or on a call first, then send the letter the same day. How to quit a job professionally has a script for that conversation.
[Date] Dear [Manager's name], Please accept this letter as two weeks' notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [Company]. My last day of work will be [day, date]. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and the team. I will do what I can to hand over my work before I leave. Sincerely, [Your name] [Personal email]
Subject: Resignation: [Your name], last day [date] Hi [Manager's name], As we discussed today, I am resigning from my position as [job title]. This email is my two weeks' notice, and my last day of work will be [day, date]. Thank you for your support over the past [length of time]. I have started a handover list and will share it with you by [day]. I am copying [HR contact] so they can start the paperwork. Best, [Your name] [Personal email] | [Phone]
[Date] Dear [Manager's name], I am writing to give two weeks' notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [Company]. My last day of work will be [day, date]. To make the transition easy, I plan to: - finish [project or task] by [date] - hand [project or account] to [colleague], with written notes, by [date] - document [recurring task or process] so anyone can pick it up Please tell me if you would like different priorities. I am grateful for [one specific thing], and I want to leave things in good order. Sincerely, [Your name] [Personal email] | [Phone]
04
What should you do in your last two weeks?
Treat the ten working days as a short project with one goal: nobody has to call you after you leave.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your manager, send the letter and agree on how and when the team will be told |
| Days 2–3 | List every project, recurring task, contact and login you own, each with a status and a next step. Agree on priorities with your manager |
| Days 4–7 | Finish what can be finished. Walk the new owners through the rest and introduce them to the people who rely on you |
| Days 8–9 | Settle the paperwork with HR: final pay date, unused vacation, when benefits end, retirement account and equipment return |
| Day 10 | Hand in equipment, send a short goodbye note and thank people in person |
Along the way, look after your own interests. Save personal files and your colleagues’ contact details, but leave company data alone. Ask the people who know your work best whether they will act as job references while the work is fresh. Keep your standards up to the last day.
Subject: Thank you, and how to reach me Hi all, Today is my last day at [Company]. Thank you for [one specific thing, such as making the launch such a good project to be part of]. [Colleague] is taking over [your main responsibilities], and my handover notes are in [location]. I would like to stay in touch. You can reach me at [personal email] or on LinkedIn at [profile link]. All the best, [Your name]
05
What if your employer tells you to leave right away?
It happens, especially when you are joining a competitor or handle sensitive information. Whether you are paid for the rest of the notice period depends on your contract, company policy and state. Texas guidance, for example, says an employer can accept, reject or modify an employee’s notice, and that it does not have to pay for time not worked once the separation takes effect.
Prepare for it before you resign:
- Clear personal items and files from your desk and devices.
- Know your contract’s terms on notice and pay.
- If you are released early, ask HR to confirm in writing your official last day, what you will be paid, and when benefits end.
- Tell your new employer you can start sooner, if you want to.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is two weeks’ notice required by law?
In most US jobs, no. The Missouri Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission, for example, both say their states do not require an employee to give notice before quitting. A written employment contract, a union agreement or the law in another country can require it, so check what applies to you.
How do you count two weeks’ notice?
Count ten working days starting with the day you give notice. If you resign on a Monday, your last day is the Friday of the following week. Write the last day in the letter as a calendar date so there is no doubt, and check it against your new start date.
Can you give less than two weeks’ notice?
In most at-will jobs you can, unless a contract says otherwise. It has a cost: a shorter handover, a cooler reference and, at some employers, losing eligibility for rehire. If you must leave sooner, say so plainly, apologize once and offer what help you can in the time you have.
Can an employer fire you after you give two weeks’ notice?
An employer may decide to end your employment before your stated last day. Whether you are paid for the remaining time depends on your contract, company policy and state. Ask HR to confirm your official last day and final pay in writing, and plan your finances so an early exit does not hurt you.
Do you get paid for unused vacation when you give notice?
It depends on your state and your employer’s policy. California, for example, requires final wages to include accrued vacation. In other states it can come down to the employer’s written policy, and some employers pay unused vacation only when you give the notice that policy asks for. Read it before you set your last day.
Sources
- Missouri Department of Labor: Is an employee required to give his/her employer two weeks notice when quitting a job?: Missouri’s at-will rule and the absence of a notice requirement.
- Texas Workforce Commission: Work Separations - General: no advance notice is required in Texas, and an employer can accept, reject or modify a notice.
- California Department of Industrial Relations: Paydays, pay periods, and the final wages: how 72 hours’ notice changes when final wages, including accrued vacation, are due in California.
- University of Washington Human Resources: Voluntary termination: an example of an employer policy that strongly encourages at least two weeks’ notice.
- US Department of Labor: Last Paycheck: the federal position on final pay and the role of state law.
Published by Jobbie and last updated on October 6, 2026. This guide is general information for job seekers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.