Sample Resignation Letters Due to Relocation

Most employment contracts are explicit about what happens if an employee wants to leave their workplace for personal reasons. Organizations will typically allow employees to resign from their position with a notice period and a specific date at which the resignation takes effect. The specific notice period to provide to the employer depends on the type of contract the organization has with the employee- but it typically varies from two weeks to one month. The length of this period may also depend on other factors, such as the nature of the job, the employee’s seniority, and any specific terms outlined in the employee handbook or employment contract.

When resigning from an organization, it is essential to conform to the formal timelines and procedures that the organization has laid out. It is also imperative to ensure that the employer knows the intention to resign by providing them with a professionally written resignation letter. Generally, an effective letter of resignation will include the notice period that an employee wishes to adhere to and the specific departure date.

This article provides a complete guide to writing a considerate resignation letter due to relocation to ensure that the intent of resignation is communicated to the employer in a manner that does not burn the employee’s professional bridges. It also includes some helpful tips to ensure that the resignation and transitioning process is smooth.

Free Templates

Given below are resignation letter templates:

Template 01

Template 02

Sample 03

Sample 04

What is a Relocation Resignation Letter?

A relocation resignation letter is a formal business correspondence that an employee sends to the employer to officially notify them about their intention to resign from the organization due to relocation.

Several reasons may prompt an employee to relocate. Common reasons for relocation include; the desire to move closer to family and friends, to pursue a romantic interest, the need to pursue a new career path or professional growth opportunity, to look for greener pastures or a lower cost of living, the desire to have a change of scenery, etc.

Regardless of the circumstances, as a reputable employee, you should never forget that you are resigning from a professional relationship, not a personal one. As such, it is vital to keep the contents of your letter strictly professional and avoid venting or airing any grievances that may exist between you and the employer. Respecting your contractual obligations to the employer and writing a letter that clearly communicates your departure date, provides a reason (s) for leaving, and outlines steps you will take to make the transitioning process smoother for everyone involved will help ensure that you leave your current employer with grace and dignity.

Why is it Important to Send a Relocation Letter?

Generally, sending a formal resignation notice to the employer anytime you intend to terminate your employment contract is considered a professional courtesy. This is important as the letter formally communicates your intentions, demonstrating your respect for the employer and the organization.

In addition, sending the relocation resignation letter ahead of time allows the employer to find a replacement sooner. The letter also helps ensure that your leaving date is not pushed back and that your resignation is accepted. This is mainly because it gives the employer sufficient time to find and train a replacement and smooth out any issues that may arise with your job description, duties, tasks, etc.

It is also important for an organization to know about any impending change in its workforce reasonably in advance to appropriately plan for the eventuality. This is so that there are no major delays in operations or project completion due to your sudden absence. An unanticipated departure can also cause various problems, such as a sudden increase in workload that may have to be shouldered by other employees, which may negatively impact their performance and the organization’s overall reputation.

Consequently, your relationship with the employer will be tainted; hence they will be less likely to provide you with positive references for your future job search endeavors. Moreover, failing to maintain a positive relationship with the employer diminishes your chances of being re-hired in the organization. This will negatively impact your professional network and development opportunities.

Lastly, having documented proof of your reason for resigning in the personnel file and the timeline you provided for your departure may be beneficial if there is any need to contest any negative feedback about you. It may also help you counter the possibility of being wrongfully terminated as retaliation for leaving the company. Finally, it will give a good explanation to any prospective employers interested in verifying your previous work history and employment records.

How to Write a Resignation Letter due to Relocation

When writing a resignation letter due to relocation, it is imperative to ensure that you are clear and concise in conveying your message to the employer. You can achieve this by keeping the tone professional and factual, and refraining from expressing frustrations or hatred towards the employer.

Your resignation letter must  include the following essential elements:

Header

A professional business letter must contain an appropriate letterhead, and the relocation resignation letter is no exception. The header should include your name, mailing address, and contact information in the topmost left section of the page. The date of writing should appear below your personal contact information to serve as a reliable reference for when you notified the employer of your intention to leave your current position. The recipient’s personal information, including their name and designation, should appear beneath the date, then include the company name, email, and mailing address.

Introduction

After writing your relocation resignation letter’s header, proceed to begin the letter using a professional and personalized salutation. Start the letter with a “Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. employer’s first/last name” or “Dear Company name” if you are unsure of the respective person handling resignation notices within the organization.

State your objective

The next step involves communicating your purpose for writing the letter precisely and concisely. The letter’s objective should be mentioned in the introductory paragraph to ensure that the employer promptly recognizes the reason for writing. Then, in a few brief lines, state that you are writing the letter to officially resign from the organization and include the job position or title.

Mention the intended resignation date

Once you have stated your purpose for writing the letter, provide the date by which you will officially stop working for the organization. Ideally, your last day of employment with the employer should be before your intended relocation date. In addition, the effective resignation date should allow the employer ample time to find your replacement or prepare for your exit. Most employers require their employees to issue them with at least two weeks’ notice or more, based on the nature and complexity of the job.

However, before deciding on the exact date to provide as your resignation effective date, consider checking the employee handbook to determine if there are any special considerations or timelines you need to adhere to, ensuring that you maintain a positive relationship with the employer.

Explain your reason for leaving the organization

The next step for writing an effective resignation letter is briefly explaining why you are resigning from the position. In a few short lines, inform the employer that you will be moving to a new residential area and will therefore be unable to continue in your current position.

However, note that you do not have to specify any reason for leaving the company in your resignation letter.

Offer your assistance to ease the transition

After explaining your reason for leaving the organization, it is important to offer your assistance to the employer to ease their transition process. Clearly state what you can and are willing to do to assist them with the transition process. For example, you can state that you are willing to help the employer prepare for your departure by offering to train your replacement.

You can also mention that you will help them with the new employee’s onboarding process to ensure that the company continues to perform at the same level of efficiency and quality. Offering to help with the transition is optional, but it is an honorable and gracious gesture demonstrating to the employer that you care about the organization and its continued well-being.

Reflect on your time in the company and express gratitude

It is essential to close your resignation letter with a reflection of your time in the organization and appreciate the employer for providing you with an opportunity to work with them. Briefly mention what you have personally gained from the experience and express a gracious thank you for the honor of working with them as well as the opportunities that the employer accorded you during your employment tenure.

End with an appropriate sign-off

The last essential element of a standard resignation letter is the sign-off. A good rule of thumb is to end your relocation resignation letter with a formal closing such as “sincerely,” “yours truly,” “regards,” or “warmly,” etc., then sign your name beneath the closing remarks.

Sample Relocation Resignation Letter

Below is a sample letter that you can use as a guide for writing your own resignation letter:

Resignation Letter Writing Tips

To ensure that your resignation letter demonstrates tact and positively contributes to your professional relationship with the employer, there are a few helpful tips that you should keep in mind.

They include:

Use a professional language

Your letter should be professional and courteous without sounding too formal or sarcastic. Remember that you will most likely be keeping professional contact with your former coworkers and bosses throughout your career, so it is important to remain respectful and cordial in your resignation letter. Besides, once you submit the letter to the HR department, it becomes a part of the company’s official record. Therefore, you need to ensure that your resignation letter reflects your professionalism.

Use proper spacing

Use proper spacing, margins, and font style to enhance the readability and presentation of your letter. Avoid using overly large line and paragraph spacing, odd-colored and decorative fonts, or other distracting formats. Instead, you should insert a single space between your header, body paragraphs, and conclusion to give your letter a neat and professional look.

Re-read your letter

Before you submit your resignation letter to the HR department, it is essential to re-read it and ensure that it is error-free and detailed. Proofreading your letter is essential, as a single error can affect the overall presentation and professionalism of your letter. It is also important to carefully proofread it to check on your language’s flow and clarity or identify any spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. You also can request a friend or family member to re-read it, then rectify any mistakes identified.

Save an extra copy

Print several copies of the final relocation resignation letter, and issue one copy to your supervisor, one for HR and keep one for yourself. It is recommended that you store this hard copy safe in a folder so that you can have it handy when you need to reference some details regarding your resignation or the job itself. Moreover, having a copy for your personal records is vital as it allows you to reference your professional experience as your career advances.

Wrapping Up

A quality and effectively written resignation letter due to any personal reasons, such as moving to a new residential area or state, helps to ensure that there are no negative/hard feelings between you and your employer. In the letter, communicate your intention to leave your current position and mention the effective date. It is also a good idea to briefly provide a reason for leaving the organization without disclosing too many details that can negatively impact your relationship with the employer. Remember, the purpose of writing this letter is to primarily maintain a working relationship with your professional networks for future career opportunities and referrals. It is also a good idea to offer the employer some help to ensure the transition process is smooth and always provide enough notice to enable them to prepare for the change. Finally, always use a professional tone, follow the standard business letter formatting guidelines, proofread and edit your letter before submitting it and keep an extra copy for your records.

About This Article

Authored by:

William Lehr

Human Resources Specialist, MS Office Expert

William Lehr combines a profound understanding of human resources with a certified expertise in Microsoft Office, making him a dual asset in any professional setting. With a keen insight into the intricacies of HR, William adeptly manages talent acquisition, employee relations, and organizational development. His Microsoft Office proficiency further amplifies his effectiveness, allowing him to design and implement seamless workflows, reports, and analytical tools. Whether it's optimizing HR processes or crafting efficient MS Office solutions, William's comprehensive skill set ensures that organizational objectives are met with precision and excellence.