Donaldson R F UK Notice Period Calculator
Work out the statutory minimum notice period in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, based on length of service.
How statutory minimum notice works
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, section 86, anyone continuously employed for one month or more is entitled to at least one week's notice. If the employer is ending the employment, the minimum grows with service: still one week under two years, then one week for each complete year of continuous employment between two and twelve years, capped at twelve weeks once service reaches twelve years. If the employee is resigning, the statutory minimum stays at one week, however long they've worked there.
The contract can always give more than the statutory minimum, and that longer period then applies. Either side can agree to waive notice or accept a payment in lieu of notice instead. None of this affects the right to end a contract without notice for the other party's conduct, for example gross misconduct.
Source: legislation.gov.uk: Employment Rights Act 1996, section 86, GOV.UK: Giving notice. Checked 25 September 2026.