Embarking on a new adventure through relocation requires not just excitement and planning, but also the important step of crafting a resignation letter. This essential document is your opportunity to professionally communicate your departure due to relocation while expressing gratitude to your current employer.
In this post, we’ll distill the key elements of writing a succinct and respectful resignation letter. Whether you’re moving for personal, family, or professional reasons, our guide aims to streamline your transition and ensure you leave on the best terms possible.
Understanding resignation letters due to relocation
A resignation letter due to relocation is a formal letter to your manager telling them of your intention to leave the company. Many companies require this document so they have a paper trail of the terms and timeline by which you end your employment.
It’s important to craft a resignation letter due to relocation because it helps maintain positive relationships with those who will soon become your former colleagues. It also outlines a plan for the transition of your responsibilities.
How far in advance to notify your employer
Giving a notice period before you leave your job helps your employer get ready for your exit. Most companies hope for at least two weeks’ notice, but if you can let them know even earlier, that’s even better. When you give more notice, it’s not just about being considerate of your employer—it also makes things easier for you. With extra time, you can wrap up your projects comfortably and get all the necessary handover documents ready without rushing. This approach reduces stress for both you and your team, ensuring a smoother transition.
Some companies mandate a set notice period, so you should check your employment contract to see if you agreed to one. Contracts for executives, for example, could mandate that they notify their employers three to six months before they officially depart. If you did agree to a set notice period, that’s how far in advance to notify your employer. If you leave before your set notice period, you may be at risk of inadvertently violating your contract, which could have legal ramifications.
Crafting your letter of resignation due to relocation
Your resignation letter due to relocation should follow the same format as a business letter. It should be concise and written in a formal and professional tone. Consider thanking your manager and the company for the opportunity to work there.
Your resignation letter due to relocation should also contain the following points:
- The date
- Name of the company
- Name of the person you’re addressing the letter to (usually your immediate manager)
- A formal statement of your intent to resign due to relocation
- Your intended last day of work
- Appreciation for the company and your manager
- An offer to help with the transition
- Information about how the company can reach you in the future
- Your name
For help crafting a first draft of your resignation letter, try using Grammarly’s AI resignation letter generator. Simply enter who the letter will be addressed to and details about your unique situation, and get a well-formatted, professional letter in just a few clicks.
Example resignation letter due to relocation
Below is a sample resignation letter due to relocation:
[Today’s Date]
[Name of Company]
[Address of Company]
Dear [Name of Manager],
I would like to inform you of my intent to resign from my position as [Your Role Title] at [Company Name] due to the fact that I will be relocating. My last day at the company will be [last day of employment].
I am very grateful to have had the chance to work at [Company Name]. I would like to thank you for supporting me throughout my time here. I’m proud to have been a part of such a collaborative team, and I will miss working with you and our colleagues dearly.
I will help transition my duties to those who will be taking over my responsibilities. I intend to prepare documents and files and train anyone you suggest in order to facilitate a smooth offboarding process. If there’s anything I can do to assist the company during this time, please let me know.
I can be reached at [current address] until [date of last day at your current address]. After that, I can be reached at [new address]. As always, you can email me at [email address] or call me at [mobile telephone phone], as those will not change.
Thank you for understanding. I wish the company all the best in the future, and I hope we can stay connected.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Tips for your resignation letter due to relocation
Your resignation letter for relocation could be straightforward and simply cover the basic points listed above. It’s not necessary to share where you’re moving to, or even to what city you’re moving to. However, if you have a good relationship with your manager and would like to include more information about your situation, you should do so. This could facilitate a warmer handoff and serve as a type of farewell message to colleagues. Here are some tips on how to write a resignation letter that is both compliant and gracious.
Make sure it’s in letter format
Your resignation letter should adhere to the traditional letter format. Ensure it includes a recipient, the company’s name, the date, and your signature at the end. If your company has a specific letterhead, consider using it for an added touch of professionalism.
Verify the right channel of communication
Ask your direct manager or a human resources liaison if your company has policies around the communication channel to file your resignation letter. They may prefer that you submit a PDF resignation letter on personal letterhead, or they may be fine with you simply writing an email to your manager. If there is a preferred policy, be sure to follow it when submitting your resignation letter.
Don’t let your manager be the last to know
Moving is exciting and you may be tempted to discuss your plans with friends at work. If you do, let them know not to discuss your plans with others. You don’t want your direct manager to find out about your relocation before you have had a chance to tell them and officially deliver your resignation letter. They might feel that they were kept out of the loop or even disrespected if they hear about it from someone else.
Keep the tone professional
As a piece of business writing, your resignation letter due to relocation should be written in a professional and respectful tone, so it reflects well on you and maintains the positive relationships you’ve built during your tenure.
Proofread your letter
The last thing you want to do is leave on a sloppy note. Proofread your letter to make sure there are no typos, that it is concise, and that it strikes the right tone. Grammarly can help you at this stage—it can help catch typos, flag phrases that are not grammatically correct, identify out-of-place punctuation, and make suggestions to improve clarity and conciseness.
Tell your employer how they can reach you
You do not have to include your new address in your letter of resignation, but you should tell your employer how they can reach you in the future. Some employers need to know your mailing address so that they can send physical mail including important documents like tax documents. Ask an HR contact if that is preferred, and if so, inform them of your new mailing address. If you do not know your new address yet, let your employer know other ways to contact you, such as through your cell phone number or email.
FAQs on resignation letter due to relocation
How should I communicate my resignation due to relocation to my employer?
You should communicate your resignation due to relocation through an official resignation letter clearly indicating the last day of your employment. This letter should also state that you intend to move somewhere (although you do not need to include details about where) and that you’ll offer to assist the company with transitioning your tasks and responsibilities.
How can I ensure a smooth transition when resigning due to relocation?
You can ensure a smooth transition when resigning due to relocation by completing as many projects and tasks that you can during your notice period. You should also create offboarding documents to help prepare those who will be taking over your projects, help train your successor, and offer to help with anything else the company might need in order to ensure as little disruption as possible.
How can I use AI to help with writing a resignation letter due to relocation?
You can use Grammarly’s AI resignation letter generator to help craft your resignation letter. Simply enter the name of the person your letter will be addressed to and key details about your resignation, and get a fully formatted, professional resignation letter in seconds.
