UK Notice Period Calculator
Work out the statutory minimum notice period from length of service — 1 week per year, up to 12 weeks.
UK statutory notice rules
The Employment Rights Act sets the minimum notice an employer must give:
- 1 month to under 2 years: at least 1 week.
- 2 to 12 years: 1 week for each complete year of service.
- 12 years or more: 12 weeks (the maximum).
An employee only has to give at least 1 week’s notice once employed for a month — though most contracts ask for more. Where the contract specifies a longer notice period, that longer period applies.
Frequently asked questions
An employer must give at least 1 week’s notice once an employee has been employed for 1 month, then 1 week for each complete year of service from 2 years onward, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. An employee must give at least 1 week’s notice once employed for 1 month.
Yes. The statutory notice the employer must give increases with service (up to 12 weeks). The statutory notice the employee must give is just 1 week, regardless of length of service — although the contract often requires more.
Yes. Contracts frequently set longer notice periods (for example 1 or 3 months for senior roles). The contractual notice applies if it is longer than the statutory minimum; it cannot be less than the statutory minimum.
An employer may pay you for the notice period instead of requiring you to work it, if your contract allows. Payment in lieu of notice is generally taxable.