Notice Period Calculator - UK Employment

Free UK notice period calculator. Calculate statutory and contractual notice periods for employees and employers under the Employment Rights Act 1996. Statutory minimum notice ranges from 1 week (under 2 years service) to 12 weeks (12+ years service).

Enter length of service and any contractual notice period to see which applies. Covers both employee resignation and employer dismissal scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statutory notice period in the UK?

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees with 1 month to 2 years of service must receive at least 1 week's notice. After 2 years, it increases by 1 week per year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks after 12+ years.

Can a contract require a longer notice period?

Yes, contracts can specify longer notice periods. Common contractual periods are 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months for senior roles. The longer of statutory or contractual applies.

How much notice must an employee give when resigning?

The statutory minimum is 1 week, regardless of length of service. Many contracts require longer (commonly 1 to 3 months).

What is payment in lieu of notice (PILON)?

PILON is when an employer pays an employee for their notice period instead of requiring them to work it.

Can an employer put an employee on garden leave?

Garden leave is when an employee stays away from work during notice while remaining employed with full pay. It must be supported by a contract clause.

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Free Notice Period Calculator🇬🇧 UK
UK Notice Period Calculator

Calculate UK statutory and contractual notice periods. Compare statutory vs contractual to determine the applicable notice period.

The UK statutory minimum notice period is 1 week for each complete year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Employees must give at least 1 week's notice regardless of service length. GOV.UK notice periods →

1-12 Weeks
Statutory Range
Higher Applies
Statutory vs Contract
Calculate Notice Period
Enter service length and contractual notice to determine the applicable period

Leave blank if not specified in the contract

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Notice Period
Statutory vs contractual comparison
0 weeks
applicable notice period (statutory)

Comparison

Statutory notice0 weeks(applies)
Contractual noticeNot specified
Calendar days0 days
Note: The longer of statutory or contractual notice applies. An employer cannot give less than the statutory minimum, even if the contract states a shorter period.
UK Employment Law

What are UK notice period rules?

What are the statutory notice periods?

UK employment law sets minimum notice periods that employers must give when dismissing an employee. If the employee has worked for less than one month, no notice is required. Between one month and two years, the minimum is one week. After two years, it is one week for each complete year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. These are the absolute minimum — employers can always give more notice.

How do contractual and statutory notice differ?

Many employment contracts specify a notice period that is longer than the statutory minimum. Common contractual notice periods include one month, three months, or six months. When the contractual notice period is longer than the statutory minimum, the contractual period applies. However, a contract cannot specify a notice period shorter than the statutory minimum — if it does, the statutory minimum overrides it.

How much notice must employees give?

Employees must also give notice when resigning. The statutory minimum notice from an employee is one week, regardless of length of service. However, the employment contract will usually specify a longer notice period (commonly matching the employer notice period). If no contractual notice period is stated, the statutory one week applies.

What is payment in lieu of notice (PILON)?

Employers can choose to make a payment in lieu of notice, paying the employee for their notice period without requiring them to work it. PILON is taxable if the contract includes a PILON clause. If there is no PILON clause, the first £30,000 of the payment may be tax-free as a termination payment. Garden leave — where the employee remains employed but does not attend work — is another common arrangement.

How does notice work during probation?

During a probationary period, the contractual notice period is often shorter (typically one week). However, the statutory minimum notice still applies after one month of employment. After the probationary period ends, the full contractual notice period takes effect. It is important that probationary notice periods are clearly stated in the employment contract.

Common Questions

Notice Period FAQ

Can an employer dismiss me without notice?

An employer can only dismiss without notice (summary dismissal) in cases of gross misconduct. This includes serious offences such as theft, violence, fraud, or gross negligence. If the employer dismisses without notice for any other reason, this is a wrongful dismissal and the employee may be entitled to compensation equal to the pay they would have received during the notice period.

Do I have to work during my notice period?

Generally yes, unless your employer agrees otherwise or places you on garden leave. During garden leave, you remain employed and receive full pay but do not attend work. Some contracts include a garden leave clause. If you refuse to work your notice, your employer could potentially claim damages, though this is rare in practice.

Can I take holiday during my notice period?

Yes, you can take accrued holiday during your notice period. If you have untaken holiday when you leave, you are entitled to be paid for it. Your employer can also require you to take outstanding holiday during your notice period, as long as they give you the correct notice (at least twice the length of the holiday).

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