"Two weeks notice" is the default resignation convention in U.S. workplaces — long enough for your employer to plan a handover, short enough that you're not a lame duck for a month. Here's how to do it cleanly, plus the honest answer on when you don't owe it.
In short: a two weeks notice letter is a standard resignation letter with the last day set 10 business days out. In at-will employment it's a courtesy, not a legal requirement — but it's the courtesy references are built on. Count the two weeks from the day you deliver the notice, put the exact date in the letter, and tell your manager face-to-face before anything is in writing.
The template
Dear [Manager's name],
I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [Company]. My last day of work will be [date — two weeks from delivery].
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the team. I've valued [one specific, true thing] during my time here.
During the next two weeks, I'll complete my current work where possible and document everything needed for a smooth handover.
Sincerely, [Your name]
How do you count the two weeks?
From the day you deliver the notice, not the day you decide. Resign on a Monday and your last day is the Friday of the following week — 10 working days. Put the actual calendar date in the letter; "two weeks from now" invites disagreement about when the clock started. If payroll, bonuses, or vesting dates land near your planned exit, check the calendar before you pick the day — leaving on the 14th instead of the 16th has cost people real money.
Is two weeks notice legally required?
For most U.S. employees, no. At-will employment cuts both ways: your employer can end it without notice, and so can you. Three exceptions to check before assuming that applies to you:
| Check | Where it hides |
|---|---|
| Employment contract | Notice clauses are standard in contracts and some offer letters |
| Company policy tied to payouts | Some PTO-payout and bonus policies require notice to collect |
| Professional norms | In small industries, walking out without notice follows you |
If none of those apply and the situation is genuinely bad — unsafe conditions, unpaid wages, harassment — shorter notice or none is legitimate; the immediate resignation letter guide covers how to write that version without burning more than you must.
Can my employer end it early once I give notice?
Yes. Some companies — especially in sales and finance — walk resigning employees out the same day. That's their right in at-will employment, and it can mean losing the two weeks of pay you expected. If you suspect same-day walkouts are the norm at your company, have your files, contacts, and personal items sorted before you hand in the letter, and be financially ready for the notice period to be zero.
FAQ
Should I give more than two weeks? For senior roles or long tenures, three to four weeks is a generous professional gesture — offer it only if you mean it. Never offer open-ended availability.
Do I give notice before or after signing the new offer? After. A verbal offer is not an offer. Signed paperwork first, resignation second — the career changers' guide covers sequencing the switch in detail.
Email or paper? Whatever your workplace actually uses. Remote-first companies expect a resignation email; traditional offices often want a signed letter after the conversation. The conversation always comes first.
What do I say in the meeting? One sentence: "I've decided to resign — my last day will be [date]." Then stop talking. You don't owe reasons, and the less you explain, the less there is to negotiate against.