Resigning and Leaving Your Job

Leaving a job can be a normal part of working life. You might leave because you have found another job, are returning to education, want to try something different or have decided the job is no longer right for you.

Before you resign, it is useful to understand what you need to do, how much notice you need to give and what happens when you leave.

Before you resign

Check your employment contract or written employment information first.

Look for information about:

  • How much notice you need to give
  • How your employer wants you to resign
  • Your holiday entitlement
  • What happens to unused holiday when you leave
  • Any other arrangements that apply when you leave

If you are unsure, ask your manager or HR.

If you have been offered another job, make sure you understand when it starts before resigning from your current job.

What is a notice period?

Your notice period is the amount of time you remain employed after telling your employer that you are leaving.

Your contract or written employment information should tell you how much notice you need to give.

If you have worked for your employer for less than one month, you generally do not need to give notice unless your written terms say otherwise.

If you have worked for your employer for one month or more and are legally classed as an employee, you generally need to give at least one week’s notice. Your contract may require you to give more.

How do I resign?

Check whether your employer has a process for resigning.

You do not always have to resign in writing unless your contract says you do. However, giving your resignation by email or letter can be useful because it gives you a record.

Your resignation should clearly say:

  • That you are resigning
  • How much notice you are giving
  • Your intended last working day
  • Your reason for leaving

You do not need to give a long explanation.

For example:

Subject: Resignation

Dear [Manager’s name],

Please accept this email as notice of my resignation from my position as [job title].

I am giving [amount of notice] notice and my intended last working day will be [date].

My reason for leaving is [brief reason].

Kind regards,
[Your name]

It can also be useful to ask your employer to confirm your final working day.

When does my notice period start?

Your notice period will usually start the day after you give your notice.

For example, if you give one week’s notice on a Monday, your notice period starts on Tuesday and your last day at work will normally be the following Monday.

Check your contract or ask your employer if you are unsure about the dates.

Can I leave before my notice period ends?

If you want to leave before your notice period ends, speak to your employer first.

You may be able to agree an earlier leaving date or another arrangement with your employer.

Your employer does not have to agree.

If you leave without working your required notice, there may be consequences. If you are unsure, check your contract or speak to your employer.

What happens during my notice period?

Unless you and your employer agree something different, you normally continue working during your notice period.

You should continue with your normal work and workplace arrangements.

You may also need to:

  • Complete outstanding work
  • Hand over work to another person
  • Return company property
  • Discuss your final working day with your manager
  • Ask about your final pay and holiday

If your employer tells you that you do not need to work during your notice period, ask what this means for your pay and other arrangements.

What happens to my holiday?

If you have holiday left when you leave, your employer will check how much holiday you have built up and how much you have taken.

If you have holiday left that you have built up but not taken, you should normally be paid for it when you leave.

You can ask to take holiday during your notice period, but your employer may need to agree to this.

What if I have taken too much holiday?

Sometimes you may have taken more holidays than you had built up when you leave.

Your employer may be able to deduct the amount from your final pay, but this must have been agreed in your contract or in writing beforehand.

If you are unsure, ask your employer or HR to explain how your holiday balance has been worked out.

What happens to my final pay?

Your final pay may be different from your usual pay.

It can include money you are owed for work you have completed and, where appropriate, payment for unused holiday.

It can also be affected by things such as how much holiday you have taken or other deductions that apply.

Your employer should make clear what payments and deductions are included in your final payslip. If something does not look right, ask your employer or HR to explain it.

What is a P45?

When you leave a job, your employer must give you a P45.

A P45 contains information about your pay and tax from that employment.

If you start another job, your new employer may need information from your P45.

Keep your P45 somewhere safe.

What if I change my mind?

If you change your mind after resigning, tell your employer as soon as possible.

Your employer does not have to agree to withdraw your resignation. If they agree, you can continue working for them. If they do not agree, you will normally still need to leave on the agreed date.

What if I am leaving because something is wrong?

If you are unhappy at work, you can check your workplace policies to understand how concerns can be raised.

Our guides How to Raise Concerns at Work and What Is Whistleblowing explain some of the different ways workplace concerns can be raised.

Leaving professionally

During your notice period, try to leave things organised.

You could:

  • Complete important work where possible
  • Tell your manager about anything that needs handing over
  • Return company property
  • Ask about your final pay and holiday
  • Check when you will receive your P45
  • Thank colleagues who have supported you

Looking After Your Mental Health

Leaving a job can bring up lots of different emotions, even when you have made the decision yourself. You might feel relieved, excited and hopeful about what comes next, while also feeling sad about leaving colleagues, nervous about the future or uncertain about whether you have made the right choice. Change can be stressful because you are moving away from something familiar, and it is normal for your feelings to change as your leaving date gets closer.

If you are leaving without another job lined up, you might also experience uncertainty about money, your routine, your future or how long it will take to find your next opportunity. Try not to judge yourself because you do not have your next step completely worked out. Looking for work can take time, and being between jobs does not mean that you have failed. If you are worried about money, it may help to look at your finances, check whether you are entitled to any support and seek appropriate advice rather than allowing the uncertainty to build in your mind.

If you are leaving because your job has been stressful or has affected your mental health, give yourself time to recover rather than expecting everything to feel better immediately. A new job may help, but it is also worth thinking about what you need to feel well at work in the future. Reflect on what worked well in your previous role, what you found difficult and what you would like to be different next time. This can help you make choices about future jobs based on your wellbeing as well as your career goals.

Managing the transition

Leaving a familiar workplace can mean losing routines, relationships and a sense of certainty. You might miss colleagues or find it strange not having the same structure to your days. Try to maintain some of the routines that are helpful to you while you are transitioning. Keep in touch with people you want to stay connected to, continue hobbies and activities outside work, and make sure you have things to look forward to.

It can also help to give yourself some space between jobs, where this is financially and practically possible. You do not need to fill every day with job applications or immediately move into another demanding routine. Even a short period to rest, reset your sleep routine and spend time doing things you enjoy can help you feel more prepared for your next step.

Starting a new job

Starting a new job can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and tiring. You may be learning new systems, meeting lots of people, trying to understand workplace expectations and worrying about whether you are doing things correctly. It is normal not to feel confident immediately. Being new means that you are expected to have things to learn.

Try to give yourself time to settle in rather than expecting yourself to perform exactly as you would after months or years in the role. Ask questions when you are unsure, make notes about new information and speak to your manager or colleagues when you need clarification. You do not have to prove yourself by pretending that you already know everything.

The first few weeks can also take more energy than you expect. You may find that you need more rest outside work while you adjust. Try to protect your sleep, meals, relationships and activities that help you recharge. If possible, avoid filling all of your evenings and weekends with additional commitments while you are settling into the new role.

Don’t compare!

It can be tempting to compare everything about a new workplace with your previous job. Some things may be better, while other things may take time to get used to. Try to remember that familiar does not always mean better, and unfamiliar does not necessarily mean worse.

Give yourself reasonable time to understand the new environment before deciding how you feel about it. At the same time, do not ignore persistent concerns. If you notice that something is seriously affecting your wellbeing, safety or ability to work, speak to an appropriate person and consider what support may be available.

How to support a loved one

If someone you care about is leaving a job, try not to assume that they will feel only happy or relieved. Leaving can involve mixed emotions, particularly if they are leaving people they care about, moving away from a familiar routine or leaving because work has been difficult. Ask how they are feeling and give them space to talk without immediately telling them what they should do next.

If they do not have another job lined up, they may be worried about money, finding work or feeling like they are falling behind. You can help them think through practical next steps, such as looking for vacancies, updating their CV or accessing financial or employment advice, but try not to turn every conversation into a discussion about job hunting. They may also need time to rest and regain their confidence.

If they are starting a new job, help them remember that being nervous is normal. You could help them prepare for their first day, talk through practical concerns or simply check in with them during the first few weeks. Avoid putting pressure on them to immediately love the new job or succeed at everything. Settling into a new workplace takes time.

Encourage them to maintain their normal life outside work. Spending time together, doing something enjoyable or helping them maintain hobbies and routines can provide a useful break from thinking about work. If you notice that they are becoming persistently low, anxious, withdrawn, unable to sleep or struggling to cope, encourage them to seek appropriate support from a GP, mental health professional or another trusted person.

Further information