A resignation letter tells your employer in writing that you are leaving, and on which day. Keep it short, polite and clear. Use the letter maker below, or copy a sample and change the details.
Check your contract before you send this. Your contract may ask for a longer notice than the law does.
Put the date, your name, your job title and the name of the person you report to or the HR officer.
One sentence: "I wish to resign from my position as [Job title] at [Employer]."
Count the notice your contract or the law requires, and write the date.
One sentence about the job or the people is enough. You do not need a long explanation or a reason.
For example, "I will hand over my work to [name] before my last day."
Ask the receiver to sign or reply to confirm they got it, and keep that proof.
The details in square brackets are placeholders. Replace every one with your own, and keep only facts that are true for you.
Use this when you simply want to say you are leaving and give your last day.
[Your name]
[Your town]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Manager name or "The Human Resource Manager"]
[Employer]
Dear [Name],
RE: RESIGNATION FROM THE POSITION OF [JOB TITLE]
I write to resign from my position as [Job title] at [Employer]. My last working day will be [last day].
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Use this when your contract gives a notice period and you are following it.
[Your name]
[Your town]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Manager name or "The Human Resource Manager"]
[Employer]
Dear [Name],
RE: NOTICE OF RESIGNATION
Please accept this letter as my formal notice of resignation from the position of [Job title] at [Employer]. In line with my contract, I am giving [notice period] notice. My last working day will be [last day].
I will hand over my duties to [name or "my colleagues"] before I leave. Please let me know if you need anything else from me.
Yours faithfully,
[Your name]
Use this when you must leave sooner than your contract says.
[Your name]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Manager name or "The Human Resource Manager"]
[Employer]
RE: RESIGNATION
I write to resign from my position as [Job title] at [Employer], with my last working day on [last day]. I understand that this is shorter than the notice in my contract and I am ready to discuss it with you.
Yours faithfully,
[Your name]
Use this when you resign by email. Ask for a reply to confirm they received it.
Subject: Resignation – [Your name], [Job title]
Dear [Name],
I am writing to resign from my position as [Job title] at [Employer]. My last working day will be [last day].
Thank you for the support during my time here. I will make sure my work is handed over before I leave. This email is my written notice. Please confirm that you have received it.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
[Phone]
Use this only if you really have accepted a new job.
[Your name]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Manager name or "The Human Resource Manager"]
[Employer]
RE: RESIGNATION FROM THE POSITION OF [JOB TITLE]
I write to resign from my position as [Job title] at [Employer]. I have accepted a new opportunity and my last working day will be [last day]. I am thankful for what I have learned here.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Use this when you do not want to give details.
[Your name]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Manager name or "The Human Resource Manager"]
[Employer]
RE: RESIGNATION
I write to resign from my position as [Job title] at [Employer] for personal reasons. My last working day will be [last day]. Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Use this only if you really are going back to study.
[Your name]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Manager name or "The Human Resource Manager"]
[Employer]
RE: RESIGNATION
I write to resign from my position as [Job title] at [Employer] because I am going back to school to study [course]. My last working day will be [last day]. Thank you for the opportunity to work here.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Teachers on TSC terms should check the TSC rules for resignation notice before they send this. This page does not cover them.
[Your name]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Head teacher or "The Board of Management"]
[School]
RE: RESIGNATION FROM THE POSITION OF [TEACHER / SUBJECT]
I write to resign from my position as [Job title] at [School], with my last working day on [last day]. I will complete my marking and hand over my class records to [name] before I leave.
Yours faithfully,
[Your name]
[TSC number, if you have one]
The letter may be read later, in a reference check or a dispute.
Without a date, nobody can tell when your notice starts or ends.
Ask for a written confirmation that your employer received it.
It may ask for longer notice than the law does.
Do not give a reason you do not have.
Keep the letter and the proof that it was received.
This is general information from the Employment Act, 2007. It is not legal advice.
Source: Employment Act, 2007 (Kenya), sections 35 and 36, Kenya Law, version 2024-04-26. The act can change, so check the current text.
Section 35 asks for notice in writing and does not mention a reason. You can keep the letter short. Only write a reason that is true.
It depends on how you are paid and on your contract. See the notice section above. If your contract says more, follow the contract.
Many employers accept it, but check your contract and ask HR to confirm in writing that they received it. Keep a copy.
Only in the cases the law allows. Otherwise, check your contract and section 36 first. This page is not legal advice.
Your line manager and the HR officer. Keep a signed copy.
Send it by email as well and keep proof. Ask a labour officer if you need help.
Yes, before your last day, while you remember your recent work in detail.