One (1) Week Notice Resignation Letter Samples (with Guide)

When resigning from your current job position, it is always essential to provide your employer with a formal resignation letter notifying them of your intent to leave the company. Doing so ensures that you leave the organization under reasonable terms and helps strengthen your relationship with your employer, ensuring that you get good references for your future job search endeavors.

In most cases, employees are required to issue their employers at least two weeks’ notice before their resignation effective date to allow the employer time to hire and train a substitute. However, sometimes an employee may be forced to leave on short notice; thus, it is essential to know what you should do when resigning under short notice. Generally, it is advisable to provide your employer with a one-week notice resignation letter that clearly states your intent to leave within a week.

A one-week notice resignation letter, sometimes referred to as a short notice resignation letter, is a document that acts as a formal announcement to your employer that you intend to resign from your current job position within one week of the date on which the resignation letter is written.

The one-week notice resignation letter is most commonly used when an employee has accepted another job offer. The new employer wants them to start immediately; when an employee needs to leave their current position due to unforeseen circumstances such as an emergency or death in the family; or in cases where the current job conditions are intolerable for the employee.

The purpose of the short notice resignation letter is to allow employees who resign on short notice to give proper advanced notice to their employers without burning any bridges at their current company.

When it comes to resigning from your job, providing a one (1) week’s notice can be a professional and courteous way to ensure a smooth transition. Crafting a resignation letter can seem difficult, but with the help of free templates, the process becomes much easier. These templates and sample letters offer a range of formats and structures, allowing you to tailor your letter to your specific situation. By utilizing free templates, you can save time, ensure clarity in your message, and present a polished resignation letter that reflects your professionalism.

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To properly notify your employer of your decision to exit their company, you need to write a concise one-week notice resignation letter. The resignation letter should be written professionally and in a formal manner. Your tone should also be positive throughout the letter. It would be best to avoid including any negative comments, regardless of your reason for leaving the job, and instead, focus only on the positive aspects of your job. writing your short notice resignation letter properly will not only give you some peace of mind, but it can also help you hold on to your current position in the future if the need arises.

In this context, your one-week notice resignation letter should incorporate the following information:

Your intent to resign and the position of your job

The introductory paragraph of the one-week notice resignation letter should include a brief statement indicating your intention to leave to ensure that your employer knows the letter’s purpose immediately after they begin reading it. Besides, make sure to include your title/position of the job such that there is no confusion whatsoever.

Last day of work

Including your last working day in the short notice resignation letter is essential to ensure that your employer is informed and prepared for your departure to allow for a smooth transition process. Generally, it is a great idea to include your last day of work in the first paragraph of the one-week notice resignation letter.

The reason behind your resignation

The reason behind your resignation should also be clearly stated in the short notice resignation letter. This is essential because it will make it easier for your employer to respond promptly. While providing the reason for your resignation, you must remain as specific as possible and give a cause based on facts. However, make your explanations brief and avoid including too many details, especially if you are leaving due to personal reasons or reasons that are not related to the job itself. Typical reasons that may prompt an employee to resign on short notice include; pursuing a different career or resigning because you have suddenly realized that you are unhappy in your current job and need to change your work environment.

Thank the employer

A short and simple thank you note can go a long way in further strengthening your professional relationship with your soon-to-be-ex-employer. As such, show gratitude for the opportunities your employer has provided you during your tenure, the experiences and skills you have acquired while working in the organization and how these have impacted who you are in your current professional life. For example, you may mention the specific projects you are grateful for having been a part of, the type of training and career development opportunities provided to you during your employment, or express gratitude for the overall experience.

Offer to help with the transition

If feasible, offer to help with the transition, mainly because you are leaving under short notice, to demonstrate your willingness to make the process as smooth as possible for everyone involved. For example, mention in your one-week notice letter that you are willing to work overtime to successfully train the person who will take on your current job responsibilities.

Concluding statement and signature

End your one-week notice resignation letter with a brief concluding statement thanking the employer for the opportunity to work with them, and include a formal sign-off, then add your signature and typed name.

Short Notice Resignation Letter

The following one-week notice resignation letter template and sample serve as additional guides to help you craft your short notice resignation letter most professionally and appropriately. You can use them as a reference source while writing your resignation letter to ensure that you include all the essential details:

Do’s and Don’ts

To ensure that your one-week notice resignation letter effectively communicates your intent to leave graciously and in a manner that demonstrates your professionalism, there are certain things that you should consider and things that you should avoid. The following are the standard do’s and don’ts while writing short notice resignation letters:

The things to consider while writing your short notice resignation letter include:

Tell your employer first

For the sake of courtesy, make it a point to inform your employer of your intent to leave before informing your colleagues or any other person within the organization. If possible, tell them in person. However, if it is not possible to schedule an in-person meeting with your employer, notify them of your decision to leave via a call or write them an official email.

Follow the business letter format

After providing your employer with a verbal short notice resignation, write a formal resignation letter following the accepted business letter format. Following this format is essential because the one-week notice resignation letter is a formal business correspondence that will be permanently stored in your personnel file. As such, your letter should include the header information in the topmost part of the letter compromising of your contact information, the date on which the letter will be submitted, and your employer’s contact information. In addition, you should end the short notice resignation letter with your handwritten signature and your printed name below it.

Keep it short

Your short notice resignation letter should be brief, clear, and concise. Do not include too many irrelevant details because you want to express your intent to resign without rambling or disclosing too much information that could negatively ruin your reputation with the company.

Proofread and edit

Before you hand in your one-week notice resignation letter to your employer or superiors, make sure you read through it and edit it to make sure it is grammatically correct and free of any mistakes.

Maintain a formal tone

Avoid any temptations to complain about the job itself, other workers in your department or the work environment to ensure you maintain a formal tone throughout the letter. In addition, regardless of your reasons for exiting the company, keep your emotions in check. Any emotions you show, especially if they are negative, can only give rise to unpleasant incidents and make the situation worse for everyone.

Be gracious

Be courteous and humble enough in your short notice resignation letter to thank the employer for the opportunities presented to you during your employment and the chance to work with them. However, avoid excessive flattery.

Keep the door to feedback open

Make sure that the letter does not shut any doors. Keep your communication lines open if there is any feedback or other information you need to communicate to your employer by including your reliable contact information.

Below is a detailed list of the things to avoid while writing a short notice resignation letter to ensure you do not burn your bridges with your former employer:

Don’t brag about your new job

Even if your new employer is a great place to work, do not discuss its advantages and benefits because it could make your employer think that you are just bragging about how you got the job. Instead, include only the most essential information accepted in standard resignation letters.

Don’t argue with the management

Generally, no employer will appreciate or want to hear any negative remarks or arguments from their employee. Therefore, your one-week notice resignation letter should be professional and focus only on the reasons behind your resignation, not on any reasons why you did not like the management.

Don’t quit without a warning

Although most employees may be tempted to quit without prior notice, mainly if the work environment has been stressful or unpleasant for them, you must avoid leaving without a proper warning, as this can lead to unnecessary issues. In addition, maintaining a positive relationship with your professional network is very important. As such, you should always strive to notify your employer and give them as much notice as possible to hire and train your replacement.

Whenever you leave your job without sufficient notice, it is essential to notify your employer in writing a week before the date you intend to go. The one-week notice resignation letter is usually written by employees when they are forced to vacate their employment due to unforeseen circumstances like family reasons or issues arising from the workplace. However, your short notice resignation letter must not appear reluctant, accusatory, or overly negative despite these situations because such letters may taint your reputation and make you seem like an ungrateful employee.

Thus, for your short notice resignation letter to remain effective, you must ensure that it is not overly emotional. Your letter should also provide a clear and quick summary of the events that have led to your decision to leave the job on short notice, your final day of employment, a thank you note, and an offer to help with the transition. By following these simple guidelines while writing your short notice resignation letter, you can rest assured that you will be able to leave your employer on good terms and without any guilt plaguing you because of any misunderstandings between the two of you.

About This Article

Authored by:

Zhaniece Hill

Human Resources Specialist | Masters of Business, MBA, BAS Operations Management and Supervision

Zhaniece Hill, an accomplished author, and writer, possesses an extensive 9-year journey as a seasoned Human Resources professional. With a Master's degree in Business Administration, Hill's profound insights into human capital management have been shaped by a diverse background spanning public and private sectors. Expertise in talent acquisition, onboarding, employee engagement, and benefits define Hill's remarkable HR acumen. With an unyielding focus on results, Hill's legacy is characterized by innovative HR solutions that elevate employee satisfaction, retention, and overall business performance. Continuously seeking fresh challenges, Zhaniece Hill utilizes her expertise to create a lasting impact in the realm of HR.