Resignation Letter Sample for During or After Maternity Leave

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Updated on January 24, 2022

Mother hugging baby — Photo: Blend Images - JGI/Tom Grill / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images

Do you wish to resign rather than return to work after maternity leave? For many mothers⁠ or aspiring stay-at-home fathers, the first few months after the birth of a child have a way of reorienting one’s priorities.

If, after evaluating the pros and cons of quitting your job, you decide that it is the best choice for your situation, you can write a resignation letter to announce your decision to your employer.

Review tips for resigning while you're on maternity leave, along with sample resignation letters you can use as a starting point for your own letter or email.

Reasons to Quit Your Job

There are several reasons why you might decide to quit your job during maternity leave or afterward. You may feel sleep-deprived and overwhelmed even as you’re over-the-moon joyous, wondering how you are going to balance the conflicting responsibilities of parenthood and your job.

Your salary might not be enough to finance the childcare costs you’d incur should you return to work. Or, you may simply have realized that there’s nowhere you would rather be than at home with your child.

Note

Before you turn in your resignation, review the potential legal and financial ramifications of resigning while you're on leave.

How to Resign During Maternity Leave

Quitting during maternity leave presents a logistical challenge. As you are not in the office, an in-person conversation may not be possible, and you may need to resign over email or send a printed letter. Even if you tell your boss through a phone call that you plan to resign, you will need to formalize your resignation with written communication.

Note

When sending an important communication such as a resignation letter, you will want to ensure it is received and acted upon. If you’re emailing your resignation letter, make sure to include all of the necessary information.

What to Include in Your Resignation Letter

In general, resignation letters are best kept short. This also holds true for resigning during maternity leave. The most important information to communicate is:

Your official last day with the company
Why you are resigning
Any help you want to offer during the transition
A thank-you to the manager and company

Registration Letter Samples

Depending on when you plan to resign, the following resignation letters can be customized to fit your own situation:

Resignation Letter During / After Maternity Leave Example

Name
Address
City, State Zip Code

Date

Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State Zip Code

Dear Ms. Manager,

Please accept my resignation effective January 28, 2022. As you know, I had my second child in December, and I have decided that I will not be returning to work after my maternity leave. I plan on staying home with my children for the foreseeable future.

Thank you for your understanding. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance during this transitional time. I am available over (phone, email) and would also be happy to come into the office for a day to pass off any contacts, emails, or information that you need.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Firstname Lastname

Sample Email for Resigning During Maternity Leave

Subject: Maternity Leave – Your Name

Dear Jane,

During these past two months on maternity leave, I've spent a lot of time thinking through my next steps. After much debate, I've decided to stay home with my children, and not return to full-time work. Please accept my resignation effective February 10, 2022.

It's been a pleasure working with you and being part of ABC Company. I have learned so much during my four years working here.

Please let me know if I can offer any help during this transitional time. I am available over email, and would also be happy to come into the office for a day to pass off any contacts, emails, or information that you need.

Sincerely,

Firstname Lastname

Other Considerations

If you've decided to resign, there are steps you should take to ensure a smooth transition out of the company. This includes giving your company the proper notice, meeting with your supervisor or coworkers to transition your responsibilities, and copying any necessary work for your portfolio before your corporate devices are returned.

In addition to informing staff of your resignation, you should inform your key external contacts such as clients, vendors, and others who may rely on you. You may also want to meet with human resources to discuss your insurance and benefits.

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