Notice. Statutory minimum in the UK is one week once you have worked a month — but your contract usually asks for more, and the contract wins. Resign on a random Tuesday with “four weeks’ notice” and your last day is four weeks from the date they received the letter, whatever the day-of-week convention. This tool counts from the letter date.

Say less. A resignation letter is a notice document, not a grievance: your intent, your final day, your thanks, your signature. Anything about pay, conditions or management belongs in a face-to-face conversation or, if serious, a formal grievance raised separately and earlier — once you have resigned there is no process to catch you.

Practicalities. Tell your manager first, letter second; email is fine in most places (keep a copy in your personal inbox). Ask about unused holiday — it can often be taken in the notice period or is paid on top. And expect to be walked to the door on the spot in some industries: clear personal files (never company files) off your work devices before you announce, not after.

UK employment conventions summarised; statutory notice from the Employment Rights Act 1996. Not legal advice — unions and ACAS advise members free. Last reviewed 2026-09-21.