2-Week (Resignation) Notice

2-Week (Resignation) Notice

Why do people leave their jobs? According to SHRM.org, money pushes workers to seek other job opportunities. In 2018, 3.5 million or 2.3 percent of the American workforce quit their posts, based on a report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Although employees have the right to resign anytime they wish, the law says that sending a resignation letter is the proper way to do it. Even short notice, like a two-week resignation notice, is permissible. Find out more about the two-week resignation notice with this article. Continue reading below. Read More

What Is a Two-week Notice?

A two-week notice is a resignation letter written to notify an employer about an official resignation. This gives them enough time to find a replacement for the position while it remains filled during the recruitment process. In fact, sending a two-week notice is a standard practice in many businesses. Sometimes, employers may request the resignee to leave their job directly after receiving the notice. That is why it is important to secure your finances to prepare for a premature departure.

How Do You Compose a Two-week Notice in Five Simple Steps?

An employee doesn’t need to indicate the reason for resigning. What matters is to submit the resignation notice ahead of time before leaving the company. And, process it the proper way, as required by the employer. After that, you can make a graceful exit. If you cannot decide what to include or have questions about what not to write in the notice, this article will give you tips on composing a two-week notice. Plus, our site offers ready-made resignation letter templates in PDF and MS Word file formats. More on this below:

1. Be Professional in Writing the Notice

Whether the exit is for good reasons or not, it is important to remain polite. Even though it is difficult, especially if the management’s fault caused the resignation. Sometimes, an employee would negatively act when resigning. Thus, focusing on the writing tone instead of the emotional undertone is crucial in delivering the message across professionally. Expressing gratitude, offering service, and sharing employment plans are better than airing grievances. That’s why the two-week notice should maintain a formal tone and has to stick with the business’s writing guidelines.

2. Identify the Parties Involved in the Header

Since the notice keeps an employer from leaving until the end of two weeks, it must acknowledge the parties involved. This clarifies the employer and resignee’s obligations. Also, the transitioning will be hassle-free this way because it helps preserve relationships with current colleagues. You can even settle scores or fix workplace issues within the remaining days. But, do not go too personal so that no bridges will be burned. After all, your former coworkers could serve as good references and professional contacts in the future.

3. Supply the Specific Resignation Details

A notice of resignation should be simple and straightforward. It must indicate the official resignation date and the notice’s recipient. Like most written documents, the resignation notice has to start with a salutation. Use “Dear, (receiver’s professional title and complete name),” it works whether addressing your manager or supervisor. On the other note, both formatting and choice of words play an important role in composing this letter. In writing the notice, stick with the preferred writing style because it will be filed under the employment record.

4. End on Good Terms with Your Employer

After taking care of the notice’s format, suggest your intention to help as A courtesy to the company. Try to extend your assistance in training and assisting the new hire before leaving the post. Although it is optional to conduct these practices, it is a way of expressing gratitude towards the employer. And, doing this eases the dire straits of the resignation. Also, you can even refer an individual to be your replacement and assume the role in the company. It could be a former colleague who is qualified to fill in the vacated post. 

5. Sign the Two-week Notice

Review the two-week notice to make sure everything in it is correct. Next, provide a sign-off. To do this properly, close the notice with “Sincerely,” “Truly Yours,” or “Respectfully Yours.” Then, include your name and sign above it. This identifies the author and signifies the truthfulness of the notice’s content. Lastly, if composing the notice from scratch seems challenging, you can download a resignation letter template. Our website offers various ready-made stencils that will make your life convenient!

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a two-weeks notice begin and end?

It depends on what the employer required. Some employers may consider the start of the notice period as soon as they received the document. However, in some cases, the notice’s start date would not matter as long as the employer agrees on the end date. On the other hand, it is simpler to disregard the ambiguity of “week.” Instead, use working days in counting the notice period. To be sure, review the employment agreement because some policies do not apply to other employment arrangements.

How to resign with a two-week notice?

A two-week notice is an opportunity to leave a job professionally. It is a common courtesy in a workplace to show a personable manner while cutting ties with an employer. If you are planning to resign from your position, talk with your manager or supervisor first. The best way to quit a job is to do it personally. But, you can do it via phone call or video conference. During the conversation, remain positive and leave out all your complaints. Even though this is a difficult conversation to have, always remain calm and polite. Then, compose a resignation letter to formalize the resignation. As much as possible, send the notice before you leave the company.

Can I give a verbal two-week notice?

Resigning from a job is not easy. You cannot clear out your desk and walk away anytime you wish. Rather, send notice to your employer two-week before the departure. Do this in person and find a good timing to break the news. Choosing the right time is necessary because there is no guarantee of resigning verbally. To make it formal, schedule a meeting with your manager or supervisor. Then, be honest and keep the conversation short and simple. Afterward, express your gratitude and tell your colleagues gently. And check whether you are required to tell the HR or not.

Letting go of an opportunity is hard, especially if it exposed you to new experiences that helped you grow. However, quitting is not always bad. For employees, resigning is necessary to live up to greener pastures. Nevertheless, leaving behind a company must be done correctly. That is why every employer must know how to write a resignation letter or two-week notice. These documents can effectively deliver your message across.