Resignation Letter Due to Health Reasons — Free Template
Resigning for health reasons is hard enough without worrying about the wording. This letter lets you say you're leaving for your health without sharing private medical details, while keeping the door open with your employer and making the handover as easy as your situation allows.
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October 15, 2026
[Who the letter is to (usually your manager)]
[Company or organization]
Re: Resignation of [Your full name]
Dear [Who the letter is to (usually your manager)],
Please accept this letter as formal notice that I am resigning from my position as [Your job title] at [Company or organization]. [How much notice you're giving], and my last day of work will be [Your last day of work].
I am leaving for health reasons.
I will do what I can to make this transition as smooth as possible, including wrapping up my open work and handing over my responsibilities.
Thank you for the opportunities and support I have received during my time at [Company or organization].
I wish you and everyone at [Company or organization] continued success.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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Consider your options before resigning
Before you resign, ask HR whether a leave of absence, reduced hours or a workplace accommodation might work instead. Depending on your employer's size and your situation, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act may give you rights to unpaid leave or accommodations, and some states add their own protections.
Also check what you'd lose by resigning, such as health insurance, short- or long-term disability coverage and paid sick leave. Ask HR how long coverage lasts after your last day and whether you can continue it.
How much to share
You don't need to name your condition. Saying you're leaving for health reasons is enough, and it keeps private information out of your personnel file. If you want to say more, tell your manager in conversation instead.
If your health means you can't work your full notice period, say so plainly and give the last day you can work. Most employers will understand, especially if you offer whatever help you reasonably can.
What to do, step by step
Tell your manager first
If you can, tell your manager in person or on a call before you send anything. The letter then confirms the conversation in writing instead of breaking the news.
Check your notice period
Look at your offer letter, contract or employee handbook. Two weeks is the usual courtesy in the US, but some roles ask for more, and leaving with the expected notice keeps you eligible for rehire.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Keep it short and positive: your title, your last day, a brief reason if you want to give one, and a thank-you.
Offer a smooth handover
List the one or two concrete things you'll do before you go, such as finishing a project, writing handover notes or training a replacement. It is the part managers remember.
Send it and keep a copy
Email it to your manager, copy HR if your company expects that, and save a copy for your records. Ask HR about your final paycheck, unused vacation and benefits.
What if your employer asks you to stay longer or leave sooner?
If your manager asks you to stay past your last day, you can say yes, say no, or offer a middle ground such as a few hours of remote help. Whatever you agree, confirm it in a short email so there's no confusion about your end date or pay.
Some employers accept a resignation and ask you to leave right away. In most US states employment is at will, so this is allowed, but many companies still pay out the notice period. Ask HR how your final pay, unused vacation and benefits will be handled.
If you receive a counteroffer, take a day to think it over. Remember the reasons you decided to leave, and if you turn it down, do it politely and in writing so the relationship stays positive.
Example resignation letter due to health reasons
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Jordan Ellis
October 5, 2026
Dana Whitfield
Brightline Logistics
Re: Resignation of Jordan Ellis
Dear Dana Whitfield,
Please accept this letter as formal notice that I am resigning from my position as Senior Marketing Coordinator at Brightline Logistics. I am giving two weeks' notice, and my last day of work will be October 19, 2026.
I am leaving for health reasons.
I want to make this as easy as possible for the team, so I have written notes on my current projects and am happy to answer short questions by email.
Thank you for your patience and kindness over the past few months. It has meant more to me than I can say.
After I leave, you can reach me at jordan.ellis@email.com.
I wish you and everyone at Brightline Logistics continued success.
Sincerely,
Jordan Ellis
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to tell my employer what my health condition is?
No. A resignation letter only needs to say you're leaving and when. Health reasons is a complete explanation. If you're requesting leave or an accommodation instead of resigning, your employer may ask for some medical documentation, but that's a separate process.
Can I resign for health reasons without giving two weeks' notice?
Yes. If your health makes it impossible to keep working, you can resign effective immediately or with shorter notice. Explain briefly that your health requires it, and offer any help you can, such as handover notes.
Should I ask for medical leave instead of resigning?
It's worth asking. Leave can protect your job and sometimes your health coverage while you recover. Talk to HR about the options before you resign, because once you've resigned it's up to your employer whether to take you back.
Can I come back to the job once I've recovered?
Sometimes. If you leave on good terms with proper notice, many employers are open to rehiring. Mentioning in your letter that you've valued your time there and would welcome staying in touch can make a future return easier.
How long should a resignation letter be?
Short. Three or four brief paragraphs on a single page is plenty: that you're resigning, your last day, an offer to help with the transition and a thank-you. A resignation letter goes into your personnel file, so it isn't the place for complaints or a long explanation.
Do I have to give a reason for resigning?
No. You can simply say you are resigning and give your last day. Many people add a short, neutral reason such as a new opportunity, relocation or family reasons. If you'd rather keep it private, a line like saying it's the right time to move on is perfectly professional.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.