Notice PeriodProfessional
Two Weeks' Notice Letter
Give proper two weeks' notice with confidence.
Use templateResignation letter templates for the United States
Most US employment is at-will, meaning either party can end employment without notice. However, individual contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and company policies may specify a notice period. Two weeks' notice is the widely observed professional norm, not a legal requirement in most states.
United States — Key facts
- Default employment type
- At-will (most states)— Montana is the only US state with a default non-at-will statute after a probationary period.
- Statutory minimum notice
- None (federal)— Federal law does not require employees to give notice. The WARN Act requires employer notice of mass layoffs but does not apply to individual resignations.
- Professional norm
- Two weeks— Two weeks is the widely observed courtesy standard. Breaching it is generally not actionable but may affect references and final pay in some states.
- Final paycheck timing
- Varies by state— Some states require payment on the last day; others allow the next regular pay cycle. Check your state's labour department.
- Non-compete enforceability
- Varies by state— California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and North Dakota largely prohibit non-competes. Other states vary widely.
Notice period — what to check
Check your employment contract first - even in at-will states, your contract may specify a notice period. If it does, honour it or face potential breach-of-contract claims.
Official source →Templates for United States
These templates use general wording suitable for United States. Adapt to your specific contract and circumstances.
Notice PeriodEmail
Two Weeks' Notice Email
Submit your two weeks' notice cleanly by email.
Use templateProfessionalGeneral
Standard Resignation Letter
A professional, all-purpose template for most situations.
Use templateImmediateUrgent
Immediate Resignation
For when you need to resign right away.
Use templateShort NoticeUrgent
Short Notice Resignation
Leaving sooner than your contract requires.
Use templateNo reasonMinimal
Resignation Without a Reason
You don't need to explain. This template doesn't ask you to.
Use templateGeneral information only. US employment law varies by state and by individual contract. Nothing here is legal advice. Consult an employment attorney for disputes or high-stakes situations. Last verified: September 2026.