In a retail or hourly job, give notice by naming your last shift, not just a date. Say you will work every shift you are rostered until then. Tell your manager in person or by phone first if you can, then send the message so there is a record. In the UK you must give at least a week's notice if you have been in the job more than a month (GOV.UK, read 5 October 2026). Your contract may say more.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| How long a notice | Your contract says. UK minimum: one week after a month in the job (GOV.UK) |
| What to name | Your last shift, and that you will work every rostered shift |
| Who first | Your manager, in person or by phone, then the message |
14 messages you can copy
Fourteen messages for a shop, a restaurant, a warehouse or any job paid by the hour. Pick the one that matches your rota, fill in the brackets and send it. Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact.
Jump to: The plain noticeYour rota and your last shiftShorter notice, and reasons you can giveYour last weeks
- Fixed days each weekSubject: Resignation: [YOUR NAME], [STORE OR SITE]Hi [MANAGER NAME], I am resigning from my job as [ROLE] at [STORE OR SITE]. My last shift will be [DATE]. I will work every shift I am rostered for until then. Thank you for [ONE REAL THING]. Please tell me who I should hand over to. [YOUR NAME]
- A text to ask for a quick wordHi [MANAGER NAME], can I have five minutes with you today? It is about my job and I would rather say it in person. I am in until [TIME]. [YOUR NAME]
- The text after you have told themHi [MANAGER NAME], thanks for talking to me today. To confirm: my last shift is [DATE]. I will work all my rostered shifts before then. Please send me the rota as soon as it is ready. [YOUR NAME]
More examples, by situation
Your rota and your last shift
- Your last day is not a working dayHi [MANAGER NAME], my last working shift will be [DATE]. I am not rostered on [LAST DAY OF NOTICE], so please treat [DATE] as my last day at work. I will check the rota to make sure that matches.
- Shifts change every weekHi [MANAGER NAME], I am resigning. I will work every shift on the rota until [DATE]. Please do not roster me after that date. If the rota for [WEEK] is not out yet, I will work whatever you give me up to [DATE].
- Hours not fixedHi [MANAGER NAME], I am stopping work at [PLACE] from [DATE]. I will take shifts you offer until then. Please do not book me for any shift after that date, and please confirm this by reply.
- You can cover a busy weekendHi [MANAGER NAME], my last shift will be [DATE]. [ADD IF TRUE: I can cover the [EVENT OR WEEKEND] if it helps. I cannot work after [DATE].]
Shorter notice, and reasons you can give
- The new job starts soonerSubject: Resignation: [YOUR NAME]Hi [MANAGER NAME], I am resigning. My new job starts on [DATE], so the last shift I can work is [DATE]. I know that is short notice, and I am sorry. If another date works better for the team and still fits my new start, tell me today. [YOUR NAME]
- Going back to school or collegeHi [MANAGER NAME], I am going back to [SCHOOL OR COLLEGE] on [DATE], so my last shift will be [DATE]. Thank you for the hours. I will work all my rostered shifts before then.
- Moving awayHi [MANAGER NAME], I am moving to [PLACE] on [DATE]. My last shift will be [DATE]. I will work every rostered shift until then and help train [NAME OR TEAM] if you want.
- Leaving one of two jobsHi [MANAGER NAME], I am leaving this job to put more time into [WHAT, FOR EXAMPLE MY OTHER JOB]. My last shift will be [DATE]. Thank you for the shifts I had here.
Your last weeks
- Handing over a taskHi [MANAGER NAME], before I go I can show [NAME] how to [TASK, FOR EXAMPLE CLOSE THE TILLS OR DO THE DELIVERY CHECK]. Which shift is best for that?
- Ask about holiday and last payHi [MANAGER NAME], could you tell me how many days of holiday I have left to use or be paid for, and when my last pay and any leaving paperwork will be ready? My last shift is [DATE].
- Uniform, keys and badgeHi [MANAGER NAME], on my last shift I will hand back [UNIFORM, KEYS, BADGE, LOCKER KEY]. Please tell me who should sign for them.
Download these examples
The same text as this page, in one file, with the gaps ready to fill in. The Google Docs button asks you to make your own copy.
What to avoid
- Writing "two weeks" and no date. A rota runs by shift, so name the last shift.
- Saying you will work shifts that are not on the rota yet. Promise only what is on it.
- Walking off in the middle of a shift. Finish what you promised.
- Complaints about the team or pay. The message stays on file.
- Taking the till, stock sheet or uniform home by mistake. Hand it back on your last shift.
Official pages. Rules differ by country. Not legal advice: check the rules that apply to you.
- GOV.UK: Handing in your notice: giving notice. It says: "You must give at least a week's notice if you've been in your job for more than a month." It also says your contract will tell you whether notice must be in writing. Read 5 October 2026.
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What the free kit adds
It is free. It has a standard resignation letter, a short notice letter and a neutral one for leaving after a difficult time.
Resign well
Resign from your job with a clear, calm letter. Read the free guide first.
- Who it is for
- Employees who are leaving a job.
- What you give it
- One of three short letters.
- What you get back
- A letter for a standard exit, shorter notice or a hard exit, and what to ask for.
Word files you fill in by hand.
Filled in by hand on 2 example cases before release. How we test.
Free. Gumroad asks for an email to send the files. Or download now without email.
How do I quit a retail job?
Tell your manager first if you can. Then send a short message with your last shift and a thank you. Keep working your rostered shifts until then.
Is it OK to quit a job without notice?
It can break your contract. GOV.UK says you may be in breach if you do not give enough notice, and your employer could take you to court. Check your contract first. If you cannot work out notice, ask your employer in writing what they will accept.
How do I write a notice for a job with no fixed hours?
Say that you will take the shifts offered until your last date, and ask them not to book you after it. Ask them to confirm in writing.
Questions people ask
What do I do with the [BRACKETS]?
Replace each one with a real fact. If you cannot, delete the line. Never leave a bracket in what you send.
Do I have to give two weeks notice in a retail job?
It depends on your contract. In the UK, GOV.UK says you must give at least a week's notice if you have been in the job more than a month. Your contract may ask for more. For the US we did not read an official source, so we state no rule: check your offer letter and your handbook. This is not legal advice.
Should I send a message or tell my manager?
Tell your manager first, in person or by phone, if you can. Then send the message so the date is on record.
What if my manager is never in?
Message the person who writes the rota and copy your manager. Name your last shift and ask them to confirm it in writing.
More
Sources
- Handing in your notice: giving notice, read 5 October 2026