Should I raise a grievance before resigning?

In most cases yes. A formal grievance gives your employer a chance to resolve the problem and creates a dated written record of what you complained about and how they responded. Many people find the issue is resolved and they no longer need to leave.

Should my resignation letter say 'constructive dismissal'?

You do not need to use the phrase, and using legal labels can distract from your facts. What matters is that the letter makes clear which events caused you to resign and that you did not accept them.

How much notice do I have to give?

Check your contract. Some people resign with immediate effect where they consider the situation to be serious; others work their notice. Both have consequences for pay and for any later claim, so take advice if you are unsure.

What should I avoid writing?

Avoid insults, speculation about motives, quotes you are not certain of, and any date you cannot evidence. Keep it short, factual and dated.

Free guide

Resignation letter for constructive dismissal

If you feel you have been forced out of your job, the letter you send matters. This guide explains what to do before you resign, what a resignation letter should say, and gives you a template to follow. General information about the process only — RightWords does not give legal advice and does not represent you.

Before you resign

• Raising a formal grievance first is usually expected. It gives your employer the chance to put things right and creates a written record of the problem.
• Resigning ends your employment and your pay. Check your notice period, any outstanding holiday, and whether you can afford a gap.
• Delay can matter. If you carry on as normal for a long time after the problem, an employer may say you accepted the situation.
• Strict time limits apply to employment tribunal claims in the UK, and Acas early conciliation must normally be started first. Check the current limits on GOV.UK or with Acas before making decisions.
• This is general information about the process, not legal advice. If you want to know whether you have a claim, speak to a qualified solicitor, your union, Acas or Citizens Advice.

Raise a formal grievance first Grievance letter template

What the letter should contain

That you are resigning, and when

State plainly that you are resigning and give your last working day, or say you are resigning with immediate effect if that is what you mean.

The reason, in factual terms

Describe what happened and when, in date order. Stick to events you can evidence. Avoid describing your employer's conduct as unlawful — set out the facts and let them speak.

That you raised it already

Refer to any grievance you submitted, the date, and what happened (or did not happen) afterwards.

That you do not accept the situation

Say clearly that you are leaving because of those events and that you are not accepting them as a change to your job.

Practical loose ends

Final pay, accrued holiday, return of equipment, a reference, and where to send correspondence after your last day.

The template

Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details, and delete anything that does not apply to you.

[Your full name]
[Your home address]
[Your email and phone number]

[Date]

[Manager or HR contact name]
[Job title]
[Company name]
[Company address]

Dear [Name],

Resignation — [your full name], [job title]

I am writing to resign from my position as [job title] with [company name]. My last day of employment will be [date] / I am resigning with immediate effect.

I am leaving because of the following matters, which I do not accept:

1. On [date], [what happened, who was involved, and where].
2. On [date], [next event in date order].
3. On [date], [next event in date order].

I raised these matters formally on [date] under the company's grievance procedure. [Describe what happened next: the outcome, the delay, or the fact that no response was received.]

Taken together, these matters have made it impossible for me to continue in my role, and I am resigning as a result. I am not accepting them as a variation of my employment.

Please confirm arrangements for my final pay, any accrued but untaken holiday, the return of company property, and my P45. I would be grateful for written confirmation of my employment dates and job title for future reference requests.

Yours sincerely

[Your signature]
[Your full name]
[Job title]
[Employee number, if you have one]

Common questions

Should I raise a grievance before resigning?: In most cases yes. A formal grievance gives your employer a chance to resolve the problem and creates a dated written record of what you complained about and how they responded. Many people find the issue is resolved and they no longer need to leave.
Should my resignation letter say 'constructive dismissal'?: You do not need to use the phrase, and using legal labels can distract from your facts. What matters is that the letter makes clear which events caused you to resign and that you did not accept them.
How much notice do I have to give?: Check your contract. Some people resign with immediate effect where they consider the situation to be serious; others work their notice. Both have consequences for pay and for any later claim, so take advice if you are unsure.
What should I avoid writing?: Avoid insults, speculation about motives, quotes you are not certain of, and any date you cannot evidence. Keep it short, factual and dated.

Try the grievance route first

Most people who feel forced out have never put the problem in writing. RightWords asks you plain questions about what happened, builds a dated chronology from your answers, and prepares a personalised formal grievance letter as a Word document — using only the facts you confirm.

See all employment services How the grievance procedure works

We do not provide legal advice or legal representation. If you require legal advice, please consult a qualified solicitor.