The reasons for leaving the job you are in are many and varied. You may be taking time off to have a baby, look after a newborn or infant, do some further studies, take up an offer of a better job, or go off travelling. 

It’s unlikely you would just leave the job you were in without having a very good reason to do so. Once you have made up your mind to leave your job, you will need to tell your current employer and give notice of your intention to resign at least two weeks from the date of the resignation letter. 

Good reasons for writing a resignation letter

There is nothing illegal about not giving notice. Theoretically, you could just leave your job any day if you really have had enough of it and have got something better up your sleeve. The only caveat is that you might have signed an employment contract with your employer which dictates how much notice your employer has to give you and how much notice you have to give your employer. Failure to keep to your contract conditions would be a ‘breach of contract.’ While again there is nothing in U.K. law which prohibits this, it might mean that any entitlements that you expected to receive would probably be lost.

There are several other good reasons for writing a resignation letter and providing a decent time period in notice before actually leaving the job. For a start, it is the professional thing to do. Even if you have a job in a restaurant as a kitchen hand, you should still write a resignation letter. You may have worked for the same employer for a considerable period and it would be churlish not to give a tactful reason for leaving, thanking them for the experience you have acquired and the opportunity to work with them as well as a period of notice which allows them to find someone else to replace you without too much inconvenience.

Apart from being professional, it just doesn’t make sense to antagonise your employer when you intend leaving. You never know when you might need a reference from them in the future. Leaving without giving a reason or sufficient notice is not exactly going to end up with you getting a recommendation from your employer any time in the future.

What you should include in your resignation letter

While it’s best to keep your resignation letter reasonably brief, you should include at least the following:

A statement of intent to resign from your job.An explanation of why you are resigning – don’t mention anything negative about your current employment. Concentrate on providing a realistic explanation of your reason for leaving, such as further study to enhance your career prospects, or you have taken up a promotional position working for another company, your spouse is moving overseas to take up another job etc.State a clear date for the last day you will be working for your employer. You should make this at least two weeks from the date of the resignation letter, taking note of what has already been said about contractual obligations, if any.Thank your employer for the time you have been with them, emphasising any particular reasons why you have enjoyed or appreciated the job, or highlights of the job.Offer to provide a smooth transition period before you leave so that your replacement can ease into your job after you leave. If there is sufficient time, for example, you may be able to show any replacement the ropes or provide training if required.Provide contact details for any further communication once you have left the job.Give your name, position in the job, signature and date.Using resignation letter templates

There are a lot of resignation letter templates available on the Internet and many might suit you as long as you make sure that your letter sounds personalised and not too rigid. Sample resignation letters are also available and should be used with caution and with reference to the advice give above.

Leaving a job after a long time working for the same employer can be both scary and exciting. Good luck!

Resignation letters in the U.S. and other countries

Resignation letters are standard in all countries where employment laws and employment contracts are in force. They tend to vary according to individual preference rather than the individual country.

References to UK employment law

1. https://www.gov.uk/employment-status...choose

Quote from the U.K. Employment Rights Act 1996

Workers are entitled to certain employment rights, including:

getting the National Minimum Wageprotection against unlawful deductions from wagesthe statutory minimum level of paid holidaythe statutory minimum length of rest breaksto not work more than 48 hours on average per week or to opt out of this right if they chooseprotection against unlawful discriminationprotection for ‘whistleblowing’ - reporting wrongdoing in the workplaceto not be treated less favourably if they work part-time