As a professional, you will sooner or later encounter a situation where you need to leave your job. It’s a natural part of one’s career to move on to new opportunities, but it’s important to do so in a courteous and respectful manner. One way to do this is by giving two weeks’ notice to your employer or manager.
What is a two weeks’ notice message?
Two weeks’ notice is a formal notification often provided by an employee to their employer, indicating their intention to resign from their position after two weeks. This is standard practice in most companies and is considered a professional courtesy rather than mandatory.
The purpose of giving two weeks’ notice is to provide your employer with plenty of time to make arrangements for interim coverage of your duties and start searching for your replacement. It also shows that you respect the employer’s time and the company’s operations. In some cases, your employer may ask you to leave immediately after you give your notice, and in others they may ask you to stay on for longer than two weeks; regardless, if you intend to leave, it’s still important to provide two weeks’ notice to ensure a smooth transition.
When should you submit two weeks’ notice?
It’s best to submit your two weeks’ notice as soon as you’ve made the decision to leave your job. Waiting until the last minute to announce your departure can cause problems for your employer as they try to fill your role, and it can hurt your professional reputation.
It’s important to keep the proper attitude during the two-week period. You should continue to work as diligently as before and assist your employer in transitioning your responsibilities to your replacement. This will help ensure that the company continues to operate smoothly and that your employer views you in a positive light when you leave.
In some cases, you may need to resign immediately due to personal reasons or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, you should explain your situation as openly and honestly as you’re comfortable with, but there is no need to share genuinely private information—citing a “health reason” or “the needs of your family” should be enough.
What to include in a two weeks’ notice message
When you give two weeks’ notice, it’s important to put it in a formal letter or formal email. You can also handwrite a resignation letter and give it to your immediate supervisor or HR representative.
There are a few things you should include when it comes to writing your two weeks’ notice.
- The date that you’ll be leaving your job: This helps your employer to plan for your departure and ensures that they have enough time to find a replacement for you.
- Express your thanks or gratitude: Acknowledge the opportunities the role or organization has given you. Maintaining a positive relationship with your employer can be helpful if you ever need to use them as a reference in the future.
- Contact information: Include a way for your (former) company to reach you in case they need to mail you documents related to the end of your employment or ask a question related to your former job.
Finally, be sure to keep your two weeks’ notice brief and to the point. You don’t need to go into detail about why you are leaving your job, and you should keep your tone professional.
What not to include in two weeks’ notice
When writing your two weeks’ notice, you should avoid negative comments about your current employer or colleagues. Even if you had a difficult experience at your job, it’s not smart to share this information in your notice. It’s best to keep your notice neutral. It’s also important not to make any demands or ultimatums in your notice. For example, you should never use your notice as a bargaining tool to ask for a promotion or raise.
Additionally, it’s important to ensure that your notice is clear and concise. Avoid using overly complicated language or industry jargon that might not be easily understood. Your notice should be easy to understand for anyone who reads it.
Example of a two weeks’ notice message
What should your two weeks’ notice message look like? Here’s an example of a suitable two weeks’ notice message:
Dear [Employer],
I am writing to inform you that I will be resigning from my position as [Job Title], effective two weeks from today’s date, [Date]. I want to express my gratitude for the opportunities that you have given me during my time with the company and for the support that you have provided me throughout my tenure.
I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition during my remaining time with the company. Please let me know if there is anything specific that I can do to assist with this process.
Thank you again for everything, and I wish the company continued success in the future.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
As you can see, this two weeks’ notice is brief, businesslike, and to the point. It expresses appreciation for the employer and lets them know when you’ll be leaving your job.
Two weeks’ notice FAQs
What is two weeks’ notice?
Two weeks’ notice is a formal notification provided by an employee to their employer, indicating their intention to resign from their position after two weeks. This is standard practice in most companies and is considered a professional courtesy.
When should you submit two weeks’ notice?
It’s best to submit your two weeks’ notice as soon as you have made the decision to leave your job. You should not wait until the last minute to announce your departure, as this can cause problems for your employer and may damage your professional reputation.
What should a two weeks’ notice message include?
Include the date that you will be leaving your job. This helps your employer to plan for your departure and ensures that they have enough time to find a replacement for you.
Express your gratitude to your employer for the opportunities that they have given you during your time with the company. This maintains a positive relationship with your employer and can be helpful if you need them as a reference in the future.
This article was written with the support of Grammarly generative AI.
