Last Minute Resume
Try for free

Resignation Letter with Early Release Request

Your new employer wants you sooner than your notice period allows? This letter resigns and asks to be released early in the same breath: by adjusting leave, paying a notice buyout, or simply agreeing an earlier date. It's polite and specific, and it leaves the final decision with your employer.

Write mine with AICopy this letter

Free to start. The AI fills in your details and gives you a PDF.

[Your Name]

[Your Email]

[Your Phone]

[Date]

[Manager's Name]
[Company Name]

Re: Resignation – [Your Job Title]

Dear [Manager's Name],

Please accept this letter as notice that I am resigning from my role as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name]. My last working day will be [Last Working Day under your full notice].

As per my contract, my notice period is [60/90] days. I've been offered a role that requires me to join by [Joining Date], so I'd like to request an early release, with my last working day on [Requested Last Day] instead.

To make this possible, I'm happy to adjust my unused earned leave against the notice period, or to pay the notice buyout for the remaining days as per company policy, whichever you prefer. Before I leave I'll complete a full handover: documenting my work, training [Colleague's Name] on my responsibilities, and staying reachable for questions for two weeks afterwards.

I understand this depends on the team's needs, and I'm grateful for your consideration. Thank you for everything I've learned at [Company Name].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Template · fill in the [bracketed] parts

Copy the template

[Your Name]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone]

[Date]
[Manager's Name]
[Company Name]

Subject: Resignation – [Your Job Title]

Dear [Manager's Name],

Please accept this letter as notice that I am resigning from my role as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name]. My last working day will be [Last Working Day under your full notice].

As per my contract, my notice period is [60/90] days. I've been offered a role that requires me to join by [Joining Date], so I'd like to request an early release, with my last working day on [Requested Last Day] instead.

To make this possible, I'm happy to adjust my unused earned leave against the notice period, or to pay the notice buyout for the remaining days as per company policy, whichever you prefer. Before I leave I'll complete a full handover: documenting my work, training [Colleague's Name] on my responsibilities, and staying reachable for questions for two weeks afterwards.

I understand this depends on the team's needs, and I'm grateful for your consideration. Thank you for everything I've learned at [Company Name].

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Replace every [bracketed] part before sending. Check your contract for your notice period.

Tips before you send it

  1. 01

    Know what your company allows

    Read the notice clause and the HR policy. Some companies allow a buyout, some let you set off leave, some allow neither, and approval is often at the employer's discretion.

  2. 02

    Get your manager on side first

    Your manager usually decides whether the team can cope without you. Ask them in person before you put the request in writing.

  3. 03

    Offer something concrete

    A named person to train, a handover document and availability after you leave make an early release much easier to approve.

  4. 04

    Get the agreed date in writing

    Once it's approved, ask for an email confirming your new last day and any buyout amount, so your relieving letter and final settlement match.

The letter, part by part

The notice line

The formal notice gives your last day under the full notice period. That's deliberate: it shows you know your contractual date, so what follows is clearly a request and not an announcement.

The request, with dates

State your notice period, why you need to leave sooner (usually a joining date), and the exact day you're asking for. A specific date is easier to approve than "as early as possible".

What you're offering

Name the ways to close the gap: adjusting leave, paying a buyout, or both. Offering to pay shows you aren't trying to dodge your obligations.

The handover plan

A shorter notice needs a tighter handover. Naming the colleague you'll train and offering to answer questions after you leave removes your manager's biggest worry.

Leaving the decision with them

Ending with "I understand this depends on the team's needs" keeps it polite. Managers say yes more often when they don't feel pushed.

Other ways to word it

Leave adjustment only

My notice period ends on [Date], and I have [number] days of earned leave remaining. I'd like to request that this leave be adjusted against my notice, so that my last working day is [Requested Last Day].

New employer pays the buyout

My new employer has agreed to cover the buyout for the remaining notice period, and I'd like to request an early release with my last working day on [Requested Last Day]. I'll make sure the handover is complete before then.

Personal reason, no new job

Due to personal circumstances, I'm unable to serve my full notice period of [number] days. I'd be very grateful if you could consider releasing me on [Requested Last Day], and I'm willing to pay for the remaining notice days as per company policy.

Follow-up after resigning

Further to my resignation on [Date], I'd like to request an early release. My new role starts on [Joining Date], and with your approval I'd like my last working day to be [Requested Last Day]. My handover document is ready and [Colleague's Name] has already taken over most of my work.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Announcing the early date

    Writing "my last day will be" the earlier date, before anyone has agreed, puts your manager on the defensive. Ask, don't announce.

  • Promising the new employer too soon

    Accepting a joining date that depends on a release you haven't got puts you between two employers. Get approval first, or give the new company a fallback date.

  • No plan for your work

    A request with no handover plan is easy to refuse. Show who will take over and how.

  • Nothing in writing

    If the agreed date or buyout amount isn't confirmed by email, it may not match your final settlement or relieving letter.

Key takeaways

  • Give your full-notice last day, then ask for the earlier one.
  • Offer a buyout, a leave adjustment, or both.
  • Name the person you'll train and how the handover will work.
  • Get the approved date and any buyout amount in writing.

Questions

What is a notice period buyout?
It's when you, or sometimes your new employer, pay your current employer for the part of the notice you won't serve. How the amount is worked out depends on your contract and company policy, so ask HR for the exact figure.
Can my new employer pay the buyout?
Some do, especially for senior or hard-to-fill roles. Ask while you're negotiating the offer, and get it written into your offer letter.
Can I use my leave balance to shorten my notice?
Some companies allow unused earned leave to be adjusted against the notice period; others pay it out in the final settlement instead. Check your HR policy.
Can my employer refuse an early release?
Yes. Unless your contract says otherwise, an early release is a request, not a right. If it's refused, you're expected to serve the notice in your contract.
What if it's refused and I leave anyway?
You may be asked to pay for the unserved notice, and your relieving or experience letter could be delayed or withheld. Talk to HR about the consequences before you decide.
When should I ask for an early release?
In the resignation itself, or the same day. Asking later, once a handover plan has been set around your full notice, makes it harder to change.

Your resignation letter, ready to send.

Tell the AI your details. It writes a clear, polite letter and gives you a PDF to send.

Start free

More resignation letter templates