Can I resign by email?

In most jobs, yes. A written resignation is often required, and email counts as written. Still, telling your manager in person or on a call first is more respectful.

What is the difference between a resignation email and a resignation letter?

The content is almost the same. A letter is more formal and often attached as a PDF; an email is the quicker version most offices accept.

Should I say why I am leaving?

You do not have to. A short thank-you and your last day are enough, and you can share more in your exit interview if you want.

Can my employer refuse my resignation?

Generally no, but you may have to work your notice period. Rules differ by country and contract, so check yours if you want to leave sooner.

Resignation email that keeps the door open

You have signed the new offer and now need to tell your boss. Ideally you say it in a call first, then confirm it in writing the same day. This prompt has your todo.is agent write that confirming resignation email: your last working day worked out from your notice period, a short thank-you and an offer to help with the handover.

The prompt

Write a resignation email to my manager [MANAGER NAME]. I am the [YOUR JOB TITLE] at [COMPANY], and I am resigning today. My notice period is [NOTICE PERIOD FROM YOUR CONTRACT], so work out my last working day and state it clearly. Mention that [HOW YOU TOLD THEM] and thank them for [SOMETHING YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR]. Offer to help with the handover and list 3 things I will document before I go. Do not give the reason I am leaving or mention my new job. Keep it under 150 words, calm and professional, with the subject "Resignation: [YOUR FULL NAME]". CC HR only if I say so. Save it as a Gmail draft. Do not send it.

What to change

[MANAGER NAME]: Your direct manager, e.g. "Claire Dubois".
[YOUR JOB TITLE]: E.g. "Customer Support Team Lead".
[COMPANY]: E.g. "Ostara Software".
[NOTICE PERIOD FROM YOUR CONTRACT]: E.g. "4 weeks", "one month" or "2 weeks". Check your contract.
[HOW YOU TOLD THEM]: E.g. "I told you in our call this morning". Write "not yet" if this email is the first time.
[SOMETHING YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR]: E.g. "trusting me to build the night-shift team".
[YOUR FULL NAME]: Your name for the subject line, e.g. "Ben Carter".

Example result

The email
To: Claire Dubois
Subject: Resignation: Ben Carter
Hi Claire,
Thank you for taking the time to talk this morning. As discussed, please accept this email as formal notice of my resignation as Customer Support Team Lead. With my four-week notice period, my last working day will be Friday 7 November.
I am grateful for the chance to build the night-shift team. It is the work I am proudest of in my career so far.
To make the handover smooth, before I leave I will:
• Write up the escalation rules and on-call rota for the night shift
• Hand over my open tickets with notes on each customer
• Train whoever takes over the weekly quality reviews
Please let me know what else would help.
Best regards,
Ben Carter
What to leave out
• The reason you are leaving, or the name of your new employer
• Complaints about the job, your manager or coworkers
• Promises you cannot keep, like "I will always be available"
What happens next
• HR usually confirms your last day and explains your final pay and unused holiday
• Ask how to return your laptop and badge
• Save copies of your payslips and contract before you lose system access

How to do it with todo.is

Copy the prompt and add your manager, role, notice period and the rest in the [brackets].
Paste it into todo.is or send it to your agent on WhatsApp. Your agent works out the date.
Read the draft in Gmail and check the last working day against your contract.
Send it after you have spoken to your manager. Ask your agent next for a farewell email to coworkers.

Tips for a better result

Tell your manager in person or on a call first. The email confirms it; it should not be the surprise.
Count the notice from the day you send the email, and check whether your contract counts weeks or calendar months.
Keep the reason out. If they ask, you can share it in conversation. Written words stay in your HR file.
Ask your agent to "remind me two days before my last day to send the farewell email and return my laptop".

resignation email: FAQ

Can I resign by email? In most jobs, yes. A written resignation is often required, and email counts as written. Still, telling your manager in person or on a call first is more respectful.
What is the difference between a resignation email and a resignation letter? The content is almost the same. A letter is more formal and often attached as a PDF; an email is the quicker version most offices accept.
Should I say why I am leaving? You do not have to. A short thank-you and your last day are enough, and you can share more in your exit interview if you want.
Can my employer refuse my resignation? Generally no, but you may have to work your notice period. Rules differ by country and contract, so check yours if you want to leave sooner.

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