Resignation letter (voluntary dismissal)

The general rule

Under art. 38 of the Labour Code an employee may terminate an open-ended employment contract by giving the employer two weeks' written notice. The countdown starts the day after the letter is submitted.

Where and how to file

The letter goes to the employer — there is no dedicated state e-service (Diia, etc.) for resigning at your own will. Submit it via HR or the office with a receipt mark (date, incoming number) on your own copy, or send it by registered mail with a content list — this fixes the date from which the two-week period runs. If the company uses electronic document management, the letter can be filed electronically, signed with a qualified electronic signature (QES).

Without the two-week notice

If you resign because continuing to work is impossible — relocation, enrolment in studies, retirement, caring for a child or a sick family member, the employer's violation of labour law, etc. — the employer must dismiss you on the date you request. State the reason and the date in the letter.

An alternative is termination by mutual agreement (art. 36(1)(1) of the Labour Code): any agreed date, no notice period.

Special martial-law rules apply: where hostilities take place in the area of the enterprise, the employee may terminate on the date stated in the letter (art. 4 of Law No. 2136-IX).

What to state

• to whom: the manager's position and name, the company name;
• from whom: your position and name;
• a request to dismiss you at your own will, stating the dismissal date;
• if applicable — the valid reason and a supporting document;
• the date of writing and your signature.

Withdrawing the letter and final settlement

During the two-week period you may withdraw the letter — the dismissal will not proceed unless another employee has already been invited to your position by way of transfer. On the dismissal day the employer must make a full settlement (salary, compensation for unused leave) and hand over the dismissal order copy and duly executed employment records (art. 47 of the Labour Code).

Legal basis

• Labour Code of Ukraine, arts. 36, 38, 47, 116;
• Law of Ukraine No. 2136-IX "On the Organisation of Labour Relations under Martial Law", art. 4.