Both of us putting notice in at same time, feel very guilty

[Whyamithisway]

I work in a small office that has a lot of problems and I don't want to work there anymore.
My colleague feels the same way and put her notice in 2 weeks ago. Ive tried to push on but it's getting worse and worse and having a massive impact on my mental health. I want to put my notice in tomorrow.
We both have to give 4 weeks notice. I will work 2 weeks alone when colleague is gone and then I will finish 2 weeks later.
Then there will be noone in the office. They are interviewing next week and csn probably just employ two people but there will be a gap before they start and also noone here to train them. It's making me feel very worried and guilty and I know this is going to go down like a lead balloon when I give them my notice but I can't carry on. The new recruits require dbs checks and I've been told there's a 6 to 8 week backlog on this .
Noone can make me stay past my end date can they? I don't want to train the new people as it's all a shambles .
I also don't know what to write in my resignation letter, any advice?

Just write a standard resignation letter you don't need to put in a reason. If the work is awful then it's their own fault so don't feel guilty. No they can't make you work longer than your notice period.

Don't feel guilty, a workplace is just that and they are unlikely to feel the emotional connection you have.

For the letter, simply say:

Dear X,

Please consider this letter as formal notice of my resignation. As per my contract, my final working date is X.

I wish you all the best for the future.

X

Don't feel guilty. A few years ago I was in the same situation with a toxic boss. Both I and my colleague raised concerns with her manager, HR and Union (who advised against a formal grievance for practical reasons).

Things rumbled on for a few months but nothing changed. When I saw a post I could apply for pop up in Internal Vacancies, I jumped at it. My LM could barely bring herself to so much as look at me for the period of my notice and would speak to the air rather than directly to me, which I actually found quite funny.

My colleague lasted another few weeks before she did the same. LM got a temp in who was offered the job permanently, they refused it. LM appointed a F/T person to my post who left within 6 months. As far as I know LM is still in post, in fact they got promoted and still making staff's lives a misery.

If management are aware of the issues but have failed to address them you have a choice to either suck it up or ship out. I sucked it up far too long, sounds like you have too, time to ship out.

“Dear Boss,
I am giving formal notice of my resignation.
As per my contract I am giving X weeks notice and my last working day will be Y”

Theres no need to give any reason and if asked you can just say you’re pursuing new opportunities. It’s their own fault and this is exactly what happens if a company fails to address the issues. It sounds like you’re better off out of there.