Basic English Language Skills Basic English Language Skills
THE PURPOSE OF A RESIGNATION LETTER:
The purpose of a resignation letter is to give your employer official no-
tice that you will be leaving the organisation. However, it is usually ap-
propriate to inform your manager of your intention to resign in person, 
and then to follow up your conversation with the formal resignation 
letter.
What to include:
Your resignation letter should be short and to the point. Keep it positive 
and professional – this is not the place to voice your dissatisfaction with 
your job.
In your letter, you should make sure that you include the following:
1.
A clear statement of your intention to resign.
Example:
“Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my 
post as Assistant IT Manager at XYZ.”
2.
Reference to your notice period (where applicable), as well as your last 
working day with the organisation.
Example:
“My last working day will be in two weeks’ time, on 31 August 2015.”
 
3.
Your reason for leaving.
You don’t need to elaborate on this if you don’t want to. Remember 
to keep it positive, and not to make any rude,  offensive or insulting 
remarks about the organisation or your co- workers, no matter how 
tempting it might be.