Example Resignation Letter Without Notice

This illustration offers tips for writing a resignation letter without notice including "Speak to your employer first," "Clearly state your last day," "Keep your letter brief," "Express gratitude," "Ask any questions about your final paycheck, company equipment, benefits, and other details," and "Provide contact information."" width="1500" height="1000" />

When you resign from a job, the standard practice is to give two weeks' notice to your employer. This gives you some time to wrap up any projects and allows your employer time to plan for your replacement.

However, while you should make every effort to notify your supervisor of your resignation as soon as possible, sometimes circumstances require that you leave immediately.

If you need to leave your job right away, review this advice on how to resign without providing notice, what to do before you quit, and examples of resignation letters to use when you need to quit a job without giving a notice period.

How to Resign Without Notice

What's the best way to resign without providing your employer with advance notice? How should you handle what could be a difficult situation when you need to resign right away? What should you do if you need to give a shorter notice than the standard two weeks most employers expect?

Note

Before making any decisions, review this information on whether you should or shouldn't quit without notice.

Once you decide to leave without notice, use this resignation letter example to inform your employer that you need to resign immediately and will not be able to give two weeks' notice. Also, read below for tips on writing a resignation letter or email without notice.

What to Do Before You Quit

Before you turn in your resignation, check on the terms of your contract if you have one.

• Check your contract. If you have an employment contract, review the terms to be sure you comply. You are legally bound by the terms of the agreement. If you're not in compliance, you may wish to consult with an employment attorney before resigning.
• Speak to your employer first. If possible, tell your boss in person that you will be leaving the company. Then, follow up with an official business letter. Send or email a copy of the letter to your manager and the human resources department.

Tips for Writing a Resignation Letter Without Notice

Here are some tips on how to write a letter resigning from your job without notice.

• State the date. In the letter, include the date you plan to leave the company. If you can stay for a week or so, say so. However, if you have to leave immediately, state this clearly at the beginning of your letter.
• Don’t go into details. You do not need to give details on why you are leaving, or what you will be doing next. You want to keep your letter brief.
• Express gratitude. This is a good opportunity to express your gratitude for the time you have worked at the company.
• Keep it positive. If you are unhappy with the company, do not complain or say anything negative in your letter. You want to maintain a good relationship with the employer, especially since you might have to ask him or her for a letter of reference in the future.
• Ask any questions. If you resign without notice, be sure to clarify how your last paycheck, benefits, company equipment, and any other details regarding the termination of your employment should be handled. Your letter is a good opportunity to ask these questions.
• Provide contact information. List any non-company email address, phone number, or another form of contact information you want to include so your employer can get in touch with you. This is especially important if you are leaving right away.
• Follow business letter format. Use business letter format when writing your letter. If time is of the essence, you might consider sending a resignation email instead of a letter.

Immediate Resignation Letter Example

You can use this no-notice resignation sample as a model. Download the template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or read the text version below.

Resignation With No Notice Letter Example (Text Version)

Jennifer Rodriguez
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
jennifer.rodriguez@email.com

Jackson Lee
Director
ABCD Company
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Please accept this letter as notification that I am resigning from my position with ABCD Company on September 15. I apologize for not being able to provide two weeks' notice. I regret that, due to circumstances beyond my control, I need to resign immediately.

Please let me know what the process will be for receiving my last paycheck and remaining benefits. I am happy to collect the paycheck through Human Resources, or you could have them mail it to my home address.

Thank you so much for the support that you have provided me during my tenure with the company. I greatly appreciate your years of guidance.

Jennifer Rodriguez (signature hard copy letter)

Resignation Email Without Notice

Resignation Email Message Without Notice Example

Subject: Ben Riley - Resignation

Dear Mr. Canvanaugh,

I regret to inform you that I am resigning from my position as a customer service representative for Embassy International, effective Tuesday, August 14. I apologize for not being able to give a full two weeks' notice, but it will be necessary for me to leave before then. I will do my best to get as much of my work done in the meantime so the next employee will have a smooth transition.

Thank you so much for the time I’ve spent at this job. Embassy International continues to be an excellent and supportive company, and I will miss working here very much.

Sending an Email Resignation Message

If you’re emailing your letter, here's how to send your email message, with what to include, proofing, double-checking that you have all the information you need, and sending a test message.

List your name and the fact that you're leaving in the subject line: "Your Name - Resignation." Include your contact information (email, phone, and mailing address) in your signature under your typed name instead of in the heading of the letter.

Key Takeaways

• Giving two weeks' notice to your employer is standard practice when you resign, but there are circumstances where you may need to leave a job immediately.
• Before you resign, check your employment contract (if you have one) so you understand the ramifications of resigning without notice.
• Stick to the facts—you don't need to share details about why you're resigning with the employer.
  
• Provide contact information so your employer can get in touch with you.

The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. SHRM. "Can Employers Require Workers to Give Notice Before They Quit?"
2. New York City Bar. "Employment Contracts."

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