Short Notice Resignation Letter
Use this letter when you cannot work the full notice period in your contract, for example because of a start date at a new job or a personal situation. Be honest, apologise briefly and offer something practical. Your employer may or may not agree to a shorter period, so ask rather than announce.
When to use it
You cannot work the full notice period and need to ask for an earlier end date.
The template
Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details before you send it.
Notice periods depend on your employment contract and local law. Check both before you choose your last working day.
Tips
- Speak to your manager before you send the letter, so the request does not come as a surprise.
- Ask for the agreed end date to be confirmed in writing.
- Offer something concrete, such as extra handover time or being reachable by email.
- Ask how unused holiday and final pay will be handled if you leave earlier.
Mistakes to avoid
- Stating the early date as final instead of asking whether it can be agreed.
- Being vague about when you will actually stop working.
- Blaming the company as the reason you cannot stay.
Related resignation letters
Immediate Resignation Letter
You must stop working right away for serious personal, health or safety reasons.
Two Weeks Notice Resignation Letter
You are giving two weeks of notice and want a simple, polite letter.
One Month Notice Resignation Letter
Your contract asks for a month of notice, or you want to give the team time to plan.
Three Months Notice Resignation Letter
Your contract sets a long notice period, common for senior roles and in parts of Europe.
Want a letter written around your details?
The japply AI resignation letter generator writes a letter in the tone you choose (professional, warm or brief) from your company, manager and last working day. It costs 2 tokens, and a free account includes 25.
Generate my letter