Not always pleasant, almost never easy, but your resignation email will be one of the most important ones you send this year. The last thing you want to happen is for it to get lost in the recipient’s inbox and never opened.
It’s easy to avoid that, though. All you need is a good resignation email subject line.
And “good,” in this case, might mean different things. The subject lines for a resignation email will vary depending on what you want to convey and who you’re reaching out to. Yet all have one thing in common—they guarantee your email is read.
In this guide, we’ll share tips on how to write a resignation letter email’s subject line to leave on a positive note and share examples based on three different things:
- Who you’re emailing
- Tone of voice
- Details you want to highlight
Before we go straight to the examples, we’ll first answer a few things you need to know. This includes why the subject line is important, how to title your email, and who you could contact.
Why the Subject Line is Important in a Resignation Email
A good subject line ensures your resignation letter gets noticed.
It lets recipients know what the email is about and what to expect. This is important for setting the tone and taking a professional approach, especially when the email is when they’ll first hear of your departure.
Pro Tip: With that in mind, unless otherwise determined by your company’s policy, the best thing you can do to leave a positive impression is to first inform your manager about your departure plans in a face-to-face conversation. No, it’s not going to be comfortable. Yes, it will greatly improve your professional relationship going forward.
How to Title Your Resignation Email
The most effective resignation emails make your intentions of resigning clear by using a title such as “Resignation: [Your Name].”
Always include the word “resignation” in your subject line. This can also be followed up with your full name.
Other common ways to title your resignation email include the following:
- Resignation Notice
- Notice of Resignation
- Resignation Announcement
Should the subject line be different depending on the person?
Here are the types of people you can email about your resignation:
- Manager or Supervisor
- HR Department
- Colleague
- Client
A professional subject line works for everyone in the above list.
Sending a more personal and less formal resignation email might be appropriate if you have a more casual relationship with the said person (or if they already know about your plans).
To play it safe, use a simple and formal subject line for your resignation email.
8 Simple Email Subject Line Examples for Resignation Email
Here’s a list of general resignation email subject lines that work in almost all situations.
Whether you’re a newly hired employee or a long-term veteran reaching out to colleagues, managers, clients, or directly HR, you can’t go wrong with the subject lines below:
• Resignation: [Your Name]
• Resignation Notice: [Your Name]
• Formal Resignation: [Your Name]
• Formal Resignation Notice: [Your Name]
• Notice of Resignation from [Your Name]
• Resignation Announcement: [Your Name]
• Resignation Effective [Date]: [Your Name]
• [Company Name] Resignation - [Your Name]
Why these work
- These subject lines are good because they get straight to the point.
- The only details that are really needed for your subject line are some form of an announcement that makes it clear you’re resigning from your role.
5 Email Subject Lines to Book a Meeting to Inform Your Resignation
Ever got broken up with via a text message? (I’m really sorry if you have.)
Getting a resignation email out of the blue might feel somewhat similar. I can’t stress that enough.
Resigning face-to-face is more respectful and professional. This also increases the likelihood of maintaining a positive relationship.
Here are some email subject lines to schedule a meeting about your resignation with your company or clients:
• Meeting Request: Resignation Discussion
• Requesting a Meeting: Resignation Discussion
• Scheduling a Meeting: Resignation Announcement
• Resignation Discussion: Your Availability Requested
• Meeting Request: Resignation Notice and Handover
Sure, they give a strong we-need-to-talk vibe, but I’d still take a “we need to talk” over an “I’m leaving you, bye,” wouldn’t you?
Why these work
- They make it clear that you’re looking to resign in person. This shows you’re handling the situation as a professional, not holding anything personal.
- They’re short and concise. The recipient would know what the email is about at first glance.
5 Resignation Email Subject Lines for Following Up
Haven’t heard back? Use these subject lines to follow up on your initial resignation email and get back on track:
• Resignation Update: [Your Name]
• Update: Resignation Effective [Date]
• Resignation Follow-up: Confirmation and Next Steps
• Follow-up on Resignation: Confirming Departure Details
• Resignation Update: Confirmation and Transition Timeline
25 Resignation Email Subject Lines for Different Tones
The subject lines above are more than enough for your resignation email.
However, some of you may want to convey a specific tone. If you were part of the population of professionals affected by The Great Resignation phenomenon, for example, your circumstances might be slightly different from the typical retirement notice.
Therefore, you may want to add more context to your subject line. The examples below will help you write an email that does just that.
Polite resignation email subject lines
You may want to use one of these polite resignation email subject lines to project a sympathetic tone. These are good to use when you’ve had an exceptional experience with the company or client that you worked for.
• Formal Resignation: Thank You for Everything
• Resignation Announcement: Departure from [company name]
• Resignation Notice: Grateful for My Time Here
• Formal Notice: Resigning from [company name]
• My Resignation: Thank You for the Journey
Grateful resignation email subject lines
These grateful resignation email subject lines are similar to the polite subject lines above. Use these to emphasize a positive tone and that you’re thankful for the work experience.
• Resignation with Sincere Gratitude
• Formal Resignation: Thank You for Everything
• Announcing My Resignation: Thank You to All
• Resignation with Heartfelt Thanks to [Company Name]
• Formal Resignation: Thank You for Everything
Angry resignation email subject lines
Perhaps you had a negative experience with your current employer and still have unresolved issues in the company you work for. So, it makes sense to emphasize your frustration and dissatisfaction about the job via email.
But there’s a right and wrong way of doing it.
“Angry” subject lines for a resignation email might be either plain rude or assertive and professional. You always want to achieve the latter. Write through the lens of giving constructive feedback, not mindlessly bashing your boss or your company.
• Immediate Departure: Unacceptable Work Conditions
• Resignation Notice: Seeking a Healthier Work Environment
• Notice of Resignation - Unmet Expectations
• Resignation Notice Due to Unresolved Issues
• Resigning from [company]: Unresolved Concerns
Funny resignation email subject lines
Injecting some humor into the subject line might help you talk about your resignation more transparently by steering away from the situation's seriousness. This usually works best for sending a farewell email to coworkers and colleagues, and sometimes your managers.
However, proceed with caution. Use your professional judgment to determine whether this is appropriate to your workplace culture and the relationship you have with the recipient.
• Good Riddance to [Your Name]
• Out of Office Forever: Thanks for the Memories!
• Adios!
• Freedom At Last, Resignation Notice Inside!
• Resignation.exe Activated: Stand Clear of Confetti
Creative resignation email subject lines
Creative subject lines add personality to your resignation email. This also makes the situation a tad more lighthearted.
Again, proceed with caution. Use your professional judgment to determine whether this is appropriate to your workplace culture and the relationship you have with the recipient.
• Onwards and Upwards: My Resignation
• Farewell but Not Goodbye…
• The Start of a New Chapter: My Resignation
• Grateful for Everything: Resignation Announcement
• My Next Adventure: Resignation Notice Inside
15 Early Notice Resignation Email Subject Lines
Use these email subject lines for handing in your resignation letter notice:
- Immediate
- 2 Weeks
- 1 Month
Before resigning, check your employment contract to ensure you’re giving the company enough notice and to avoid legal ramifications.
Immediate resignation email subject lines
These subject lines are for resigning with immediate effect. Use these whenever you must resign immediately.
You’ll also notice that none of these subject lines require you to explain yourself. Even if it’s a personal reason or emergency you might be dealing with, it’s not necessary to specify your reasons.
• Immediate Resignation
• Urgent Resignation
• Resignation ASAP: Seeking Expedited Departure
• Urgent Notice: Resignation Effective Immediately
• Immediate Departure: Resignation Request
2-week notice resignation email subject lines
The notice period for resigning from your role is usually 2 weeks. In your email, you can also mention the timeline of your planned resignation or the exact date of departure.
• [Your Name] Resignation Notice
• Resignation Effective [Date]
• Formal Resignation Notice
• Resignation Intent: My Two Weeks Notice
• Resignation Announcement: Two Weeks Notice
1-month notice resignation email subject lines
Giving an early heads-up of your resignation plans is a good idea since it gives the company more time to prepare and ease the transition period.
Anyway, use these subject lines whenever you’re giving an advanced 1-month notice or more to the company:
• Advanced Resignation Notice
• Extended Notice of Resignation
• Resignation Intent: Early Notice
• Early Resignation Notice
• 1 Month Resignation Announcement
5 Bad Resignation Email Subject Line Examples
Here’s a few examples of bad subject lines for your resignation email message that you should never use:
• I’m Done Putting Up With All Your Crap
• Resignation Notice: Leaving this Hellhole
• Peace Out Motherf*ckers!
• Toxic Environment: I’m Done
• I Quit, I’ve Had Enough
Why these subject lines are bad
I mean, I hope it’s obvious, but, just in case, here we go…
The examples are awful because they’re disrespectful and unprofessional. As much as you might want to stick a middle finger up to the company you’re resigning from because you had a terrible experience, it’s just not the way to go.
In our resignation letter examples, they’re all written formally even for personal or negative reasons. This is to maintain your reputation and integrity.
Tips for Writing the Resignation Letter Subject Line
Here are some of the top tips for a well-crafted resignation letter subject line:
- Include your first and last name.
- Mention the date of resignation.
- Maintain a neutral, professional tone.
- Keep it concise.
- Think twice before using humor and casual language.
These tips work well for all resignation emails, including resignations for personal reasons.
1. Include your first and last name
Including your name in the email resignation letter subject line is essential as it clarifies who the message is from. It also makes it look professional by showing that you’re taking the initiative to communicate your decision formally. Plus, it may reduce the chances of your email being overlooked.
Additionally, including your name provides a clear record of your resignation. This makes it easier to find and organize for future reference.
2. Mention the date of resignation
Stating the date of resignation prevents any confusion or ambiguity. It makes it clear when the company can expect you to depart and allows managers as well as HR to plan the transition process.
3. Maintain a neutral, professional tone
A neutral tone reflects a level of integrity and respect. It shows that you’re handling the situation professionally regardless of any personal or negative reasons behind your departure.
Resigning from your job is a business-related matter. Hence, your resignation letter should be a formal letter that shows your professionalism. It’s not recommended to use casual or emotive language.
4. Keep it concise
All that’s needed in the resignation email subject line is to highlight the fact that you’re leaving. Other details in the subject line may include your name and the date you officially leave the company.
5. Think twice before using humor and casual language
You’re treading murky waters when deciding to use humor and casual language in a professional environment. Doing this wrong can lead to a negative reputation.
The subject line sets the initial impression of your email. Not approaching this formally could be perceived as unprofessional and disrespectful because it may seem that you’re undermining the situation.
Only resign with humor and casual language depending on the workplace culture and your relationship with the company. If you’re not 100% sure, stick with a professional and formal tone.
Write the Perfect Resignation Letter in Seconds Using AI
Aside from creating job applications tailored to the job description faster, people also need help coming up with a resignation message.
This is why we essentially created one of the first AI resignation letter builders.
Here’s how our AI Resignation Letter Builder works:
- Enter your contact details
- Complete the form provided in the “finish up” tab to personalize your resignation letter
- Press “AI Writer Ready”
- Either click “save suggestion” or press “AI writer generate” to try again
That simple. You can then export this as a PDF and submit it via email as an attachment. Or, you could copy and paste the content into the main body of your email.
You can sign up here to try our AI Resignation Letter Builder for free.
You can also see how this works by watching our short tutorial below!
Summary
The subject lines for the resignation email should be concise.
If you’re still unsure which to go for, one of these subject lines for your resignation email is more than good enough:
- Resignation: [Your Name]
- Resignation Notice: [Your Name]
- Formal Resignation: [Your Name]
- Formal Resignation Notice: [Your Name]
- Notice of Resignation from [Your Name]
- Resignation Announcement: [Your Name]
- Resignation Effective [Date]: [Your Name]
- [Company Name] Resignation - [Your Name]
Besides that, remember that you don’t always need to explain yourself or specify why you’re leaving.
What’s more important is that you submit your resignation with enough notice so that the company can prepare for the transition process.
