What Is A Notice Period? | .uk

by Amber Rolfe

Nobody likes it when you leave without saying goodbye…

Whether you’re leaving a company after a few years, or you’ve only been there a month – understanding your employee rights and obligations when it comes to your notice period is vital. Not only will it help you to secure a new position, it’ll also ensure you don’t burn any bridges with your last one.

To make sure you’re doing yours right, here’s everything you need to know about leaving notice periods:

Key takeaways from this article

• It’s in the contract: Your notice period is usually defined in your employment contract. If not, statutory notice applies (at least one week if you’ve been there a month).
• You get paid: You are entitled to your normal pay and benefits during your notice period, even if you are on garden leave or off sick.
• Negotiation is possible: You can ask to shorten your notice period, but your employer doesn’t have to agree unless there’s a breach of contract on their side.
• Your employer may place you on ‘garden leave’: This means you won’t work your notice period (but will still get paid). It’s usually done to keep you away from sensitive information, clients, or competitors while you finish up your contract.

What is a notice period?

A notice period is the amount of time an employee has to give their company before leaving a job. It works both ways, too. If an employer gives a letter of dismissal or makes a role redundant, they must also provide the employee with a fair notice period before their employment ends.

How much notice do I need to give?

The length of your notice period usually depends on your job seniority and the specific company you work for.

If you’re unsure, your first stop should always be your contract of employment or the employee handbook. If it isn’t clearly stated there, the law defaults to the statutory notice period.

Currently, the law states that if you have been employed for one month or more, you must give at least one week’s notice.

However, most contracts demand more than the statutory minimum. It is very common to see notice periods of one month for standard roles, rising to three months (or even more) for senior management or highly specialised positions.

If you want to leave on good terms – and secure that all-important reference – it is usually best to stick to what you agreed to in your contract.

How do I hand in my notice?

Although handing in your work notice seems like a relatively simple process; if done wrong – it could create a potentially awkward situation (not to mention burn valuable bridges).

To make sure you’re doing it right, here are our tips on how to handle it:

• Put it in writing: Even if you tell your boss face-to-face (which is polite), always follow up with an official resignation letter or email.
• Include the essentials: Your name, the date, your position, your manager’s name, and crucially, the date your resignation takes effect and your final working day.
• Keep it professional: You don’t need to write an essay on why you hate the coffee machine. Keep it constructive.
• Say thank you: Even if the only thing you’re grateful for is leaving, a polite “thank you for the opportunity” goes a long way.

How to resign

How to retract a resignation (with example letter)

How much notice should my employer give me?

This will vary from company to company and should be clearly stated in your contract. However, just like when you resign, there is a legal minimum that all employers have to follow when dismissing an employee.

The statutory notice period for employers is:

• If you’ve been employed for 1 month – 2 years: They must give you at least 1 week’s notice.
• If you’ve been employed for 2 years – 12 years: They must give you 1 week’s notice for every complete year you have worked.
• If you’ve been employed for 12+ years: They must give you 12 weeks’ notice.

The only time an employer can dismiss you without notice is if you’ve carried out gross misconduct (e.g., theft, violence, or serious breaches of health and safety). This is known as summary dismissal.

How to deal with losing your job

Redundancy and notice periods

If you are being made redundant, you are still entitled to a notice period. 

Your employer might ask you to work this period, or they might put you on garden leave or offer you payment in lieu of notice (PILON).

During a redundancy notice period, you should receive your full normal pay. If you have been employed for at least two years, you are also allowed a reasonable amount of time off during working hours to look for a new job or arrange training.

How to deal with redundancy

What is ‘garden leave’?

In some industries – usually sales, tech, or senior management – staying at a company you’re planning to leave could be risky for the business. They might worry you’ll download the client database or learn about confidential plans just before jumping ship to a competitor.

To prevent this, an employer might place you on garden leave.

This means you are still technically employed and paid your full salary and benefits, but you are not allowed to come into work, log into the systems, or contact clients. You are essentially paid to sit in your garden (or on your sofa) and wait out your notice.

While it sounds like a holiday, remember you are still employed. Your boss can technically call you back into the office if they need you.

Goodbye email templates

Will I get paid during my notice period?

Yes. You are entitled to your regular pay and contractual benefits (like pension contributions and private healthcare) throughout your notice period.

This applies even if you are off sick, on holiday, or on maternity/paternity leave during your notice period.

However, be careful: if you refuse to work your notice period without your employer’s agreement, you are in breach of contract. In this scenario, you will likely lose the right to be paid for the time you didn’t work.

What is ‘payment in lieu of notice’ (PILON)?

Sometimes, an employer might want you to leave immediately rather than having you work through your notice.

If your contract has a ‘payment in lieu of notice’ (PILON) clause, they can end your employment right away and pay you a lump sum equivalent to the salary you would have earned during your notice period.

If your contract doesn’t mention PILON, they can still offer it to you, but you don’t have to accept it (though most people do, because… free money and an early exit).

Note: You still pay tax and National Insurance on PILON payments just like normal wages.

How to survive an exit interview

Can I shorten my notice period?

So, you’ve found a new job and they want you to start yesterday. Can you leave early?

Technically, you are legally bound by the contract you signed. However, there are a few ways to reduce the time you have to stay:

• Negotiate: Ask your employer nicely. If your handover is done and you have no urgent projects, they might be happy to save money by letting you go early.
• Use your holiday: If you have accrued annual leave days left, you can ask to take them during your notice period. This brings your final working day forward.
• Counter-notice (if dismissed): If you have been dismissed or made redundant, you may be able to give counter-notice to leave earlier than the employer planned.

If you simply walk out before your notice ends without agreement, you are in breach of contract. While it’s rare for employers to sue for damages unless you’re very senior (and expensive to replace), it will almost certainly guarantee you a bad reference.

How to quit a job without notice

Frequently asked questions

What is the notice period for a zero hours contract?

Zero hours workers technically don’t have guaranteed hours, but they still have notice rights. However, unless your contract says otherwise, you can usually just decline any future shifts offered to you, effectively ending the relationship immediately. Always check the specific wording of your agreement first.

Does being off sick affect my notice period?

No. Your notice period runs as normal even if you are off sick. You should usually receive your full normal pay during this time, provided you follow the company’s sickness reporting procedures.

Can I be fired during my notice period?

Yes. If you commit gross misconduct (like stealing or fighting) during your notice period, your employer can still dismiss you immediately (summary dismissal), and you would lose the remainder of your notice pay.

Eight terrible reasons for leaving a job

Eight signs it’s time to resign

Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now

Find a job

What Where Search Jobs

Sign up for more Career Advice

Please enter a valid email address

message here

By clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics.