Statutory notice periods in the UK
| Length of service | Employer gives you | You give employer |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 month | – | – |
| 1 month to under 2 years | 1 week | 1 week |
| 2 years | 2 weeks | 1 week |
| 3 years | 3 weeks | 1 week |
| 4 years | 4 weeks | 1 week |
| 5 years | 5 weeks | 1 week |
| 6 years | 6 weeks | 1 week |
| 7 years | 7 weeks | 1 week |
| 8 years | 8 weeks | 1 week |
| 9 years | 9 weeks | 1 week |
| 10 years | 10 weeks | 1 week |
| 11 years | 11 weeks | 1 week |
| 12 years or more | 12 weeks | 1 week |
Only complete years count. These are minimums for England, Scotland and Wales: if your contract says more, the contract applies.
Example
You started on 1 March 2019 and your employer gives you notice on Monday 5 October 2026. That is 7 complete years, so at least 7 weeks' notice: your last day is Monday 23 November 2026. If your contract says 3 months, it ends on 5 January 2027 instead.
Related
Being made redundant? Check your statutory redundancy pay. Holiday you have not taken is paid out when you leave: see the holiday entitlement calculator for leavers. To count the working days left in your notice, use the working days calculator.
FAQ
How much notice does my employer have to give me?
After one month in the job, at least 1 week. Once you have 2 complete years of service, 1 week for each complete year, up to a maximum of 12 weeks after 12 years. If your contract gives you more notice, the longer contract notice applies.
How much notice do I have to give when I resign?
The legal minimum is 1 week once you have worked there for a month, no matter how long you have been employed. Most contracts ask for more, often 1 month or more for salaried jobs, and you have to stick to your contract.
When does a notice period start?
Notice usually starts the day after it is given. So 1 week of notice handed in on Monday 5 October ends on Monday 12 October, and 1 month given on 15 October ends on 15 November. Your contract can set a different rule, for example notice ending on the last day of a month.
Do I get paid during my notice period?
Yes, you get your normal pay during notice, also if your employer tells you not to come in (garden leave). If your employer ends your job right away and pays you for the notice instead, that is pay in lieu of notice (PILON). It is taxed as normal pay, unlike redundancy pay.
Can my employer give me less notice than the law says?
No. A contract can only give you more than the statutory minimum, never less. You can agree to waive your notice or take pay in lieu, and an employer can dismiss without notice for gross misconduct.
Does holiday count during notice?
You keep building up holiday during your notice. Your employer can ask you to take holiday during the notice period, or pay you for any holiday you have not taken when you leave.
Legal basis and sources
- GOV.UK: Handing in your notice
- GOV.UK: Dismissal, notice periods
- legislation.gov.uk: Employment Rights Act 1996, s.86
For information only. Your contract or specific circumstances may change the result.