Notice period in United Kingdom (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: In Great Britain an employee gives at least one week's notice. The employer gives one week for under two years' service, one week per year up to twelve years, and twelve weeks from twelve years. Statutory redundancy pay applies after two years' service.

RuleWhat applies
Notice from the employeeNotice period; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)At least one week's notice once the employee has been continuously employed for one month or more. [1]
Notice from the employerNotice period; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)At least one week's notice for an employee continuously employed for one month or more but less than two years. [1]
Longer notice for long serviceNotice period; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)One week's notice for each year of continuous employment from two years up to twelve years, and at least twelve weeks from twelve years or more. [1]
Probation periodNotice period; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)⚠ Not yet verified
Severance payNotice period; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)Statutory redundancy pay is due after 2 years with the employer: half a week's pay for each full year under 22, one week's pay for each year aged 22 to 40, and one and a half weeks' pay for each year aged 41 or over. Service counts up to 20 years. For redundancies on or after 6 April 2026, weekly pay is capped at GBP 751 and the maximum payment is GBP 22,530. [2]

Notes

  • Section 86 applies in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own legislation, which was not read.
  • Not verified: section 86 and the GOV.UK pages read do not set a statutory probation limit.
  • This is statutory redundancy pay, due only when the job ends by redundancy; the page lists exceptions.

Sources

  1. The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Employment Rights Act 1996, section 86: Rights of employer and employee to minimum notice (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. GOV.UK (Department for Business and Trade): Statutory redundancy pay (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.