Resignation

There is no dismissal if an employee resigns voluntarily. Employees are free to end the employment contract at any time by resigning, usually by giving the notice required by the contract.

To be effective, a resignation must be communicated to the employer. However, there is no rule that it must be communicated to a particular individual, such as the person named on the resignation letter. It is enough for the letter to reach the employer’s address (Horwood v Lincolnshire County Council [2012] UKEAT/0462/11/0304).

An employee who has drafted but not sent a resignation letter has not resigned (Edwards v Surrey Police [1999] IRLR 456).