Resigning: template message and notice period

Resigning in brief

According to Suomi.fi, an employee can terminate their permanent employment contract without having to give the employer a reason. The employment ends after the notice period, and during the notice period the employee has the normal duty to work.

According to suomi.fi, notice periods apply to fixed-term employment only if they have been agreed. During the probationary period either party can cancel the agreement without a notice period.

Employee's notice period 2026

According to chapter 6, section 3 of the Employment Contracts Act (55/2001), the employee's notice period depends on the length of the employment:

14 days if the employment has lasted no more than five years
1 month if the employment has lasted over five years

The collective agreement and the employment contract may differ

The statutory notice periods are a default. A collective agreement may provide otherwise, in which case it is followed. A notice period may also be agreed in the employment contract, but according to the occupational safety and health authorities it may be at most six months, and the employee's notice period may not be longer than the employer's.

So before giving notice, check your own employment contract and your sector's collective agreement. The employer's notice periods and the rules on the trial period are covered in more detail in the Jobs Radar notice period guide.

Template: resignation notice

A written notice, such as an email, leaves a trace of the date, so there is no ambiguity about when the notice period begins. The text below is a fictional template; edit the parts in square brackets.

Template – copy and edit

Subject: Resignation, Matti Meikäläinen

Hello [supervisor's name],

I hereby resign from my employment at [company] in the position of [job title]. My notice period is [14 days / 1 month / the period according to the employment contract or collective agreement], so my last working day is [date].

I request that my final pay be paid to my usual bank account, together with a written employment certificate stating the duration of the employment and my duties [and, if you wish: an assessment of work skills and conduct].

I would be happy to agree on handing over my duties and on the remaining leave. Thank you for the cooperation.

Kind regards

Matti Meikäläinen

[date], [phone number]

Before you submit the notification

Resigning is a big decision, so prepare carefully before giving notice. A well-handled departure leaves the employer with a good impression, and a former supervisor can later be a valuable referee. Go through at least the following points:

Check the notice period in your employment contract and in your sector's collective agreement
Calculate your last working day and make sure it fits the start of your new job
Settle unused holidays and agree whether they are taken or paid as holiday compensation
Tell your supervisor first, then send written confirmation
If you have no new job lined up, ask the employment services or your unemployment fund how resigning affects unemployment benefit

Final pay and holiday compensation

According to Suomi.fi's guidance for employers, the final pay is paid at the time agreed in the employment contract or, if nothing has been agreed, on the last day of the employment. If the day is not a banking day, payment is made on the previous banking day. Final pay includes all receivables from the employment, such as salary, supplements, overtime pay, holiday compensation for untaken leave, holiday bonuses and expense reimbursements.

If final pay is delayed, the employer must pay waiting-time pay for up to six calendar days, and the employee may demand late-payment interest. If, on the other hand, an employee who has resigned fails to work the notice period, the employer may offset against the final pay an amount corresponding to the gross pay for the notice period.

Certificate of employment

An employee can request a certificate of employment within ten years of the end of the employment. The certificate always states the duration of the employment and the duties. At the employee's request, the reason for the end of the employment and an assessment of work skills and conduct are also recorded. According to Suomi.fi guidance, the certificate is issued without delay, preferably within a week of the request.

It is worth requesting the certificate of employment right when you resign, because then everyone remembers the duties and dates. Check the certificate you receive. If it contains errors or information you did not request, according to suomi.fi guidance the employer must issue a new certificate.

If anything is unclear about your final pay or certificate, you can get advice from the occupational safety and health authority's advisory service and from the trade union in your field.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to state the reason for resigning?

No. An employee can resign from a permanent employment relationship without stating a reason.

What is the notice period if I have been employed for three years?

By law, 14 days, because the employment has lasted at most five years. A collective agreement or employment contract may provide otherwise.

When can an employment certificate be requested?

According to Suomi.fi, within ten years of the end of the employment relationship. However, it is worth requesting the certificate already when you resign.

Can you skip the notice period?

This can be agreed with the employer. If the employee fails to work the notice period without agreement, the employer can offset an amount equal to the gross pay for the notice period against the final pay.

Jobs Radar brings together the topic's figures, deadlines and services. Open Jobs Radar →

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Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.

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