How much notice does my employer have to give me?

The statutory minimum is: one week's notice if you've been employed between one month and two years, and then one week for each complete year you've worked, up to a maximum of 12 weeks (so 12 weeks' notice after 12 or more years). Your contract may give you more than this — if it does, the longer notice applies. These are minimums; your employer can't give you less than the statutory amount unless you're dismissed for gross misconduct.

Do I get paid during my notice period?

Yes — you should be paid as normal through your notice period, whether you're working it, on garden leave, or off sick or on family leave (special rules can top your pay up to at least statutory notice pay in some cases). Notice pay is usually based on your normal pay, or for variable pay your average earnings over the 12 weeks before notice started. You're also paid for any holiday you've built up but not taken.

Can I be sacked without notice?

Generally only for gross misconduct — something serious enough to justify instant ('summary') dismissal, like theft, violence or serious breach of trust. In that case you're not entitled to notice or notice pay. For anything less, your employer must give you at least your statutory or contractual notice, or pay you in lieu of it. If you're dismissed without notice and it isn't genuine gross misconduct, you may have a claim for wrongful dismissal or unfair dismissal.

What is pay in lieu of notice (PILON)?

Pay in lieu of notice (PILON) is when your employment ends straight away but you're paid for the notice period instead of working it. Your employer can do this if your contract allows it (or you both agree), and you should get all the basic pay you'd have earned during the notice. 'Garden leave' is different — you stay employed and paid during your notice but are told not to come in to work, often to keep you away from clients or information before you join a competitor.

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Notice periods — how much you or your boss must give.

Q: How much notice do I have to give to leave?

If there's nothing in your contract, the statutory minimum you must give is one week, once you've been employed for at least one month — regardless of how long you've worked there. Many contracts require more (often a month, or longer for senior roles), and the contractual notice applies if it's longer. Give your notice in writing, keep a copy, and check your contract for the exact length and any handover requirements.

Last verified 15 Jun 2026 · Source GOV.UK + ACAS · Information, not legal advice · Publisher: SortedUK Ltd (filed 5 Jun 2026)

Whether you’re leaving or being let go, the law sets a minimum amount of notice — and a minimum amount of pay to go with it. Your contract often gives more. Here’s exactly how much notice you must give, how much your employer must give you, what you’re paid during it, and the rules on gross misconduct, pay in lieu and garden leave.

1 weekMinimum you must give

1 week / yearEmployer’s minimum to you

12 weeksMaximum statutory notice

PaidThrough your notice period

How much notice Your rights at work

How much notice is required

There’s a statutory minimum set by law, and whatever your contract says — and the longer of the two applies.

Who gives notice	Statutory minimum
Your employer → you	1 week if employed 1 month–2 years; then 1 week per complete year, up to a maximum of 12 weeks (12+ years).
You → your employer	At least 1 week once you’ve been employed a month — whatever your length of service.

Your contract often says more Many contracts require a month’s notice (or longer for senior roles). If the contract gives more than the statutory minimum, the contract wins. If it says less than the statutory minimum, the statutory minimum wins — you can never get less than the legal floor.

Getting paid during your notice

You should be paid as normal right through your notice period — whether you’re working it or not:

Working your notice — normal pay; for variable pay it’s your average over the 12 weeks before notice started.
Off sick, or on maternity or other family leave — special rules can top your pay up to at least statutory notice pay in many cases.
You’re also paid for any holiday you’ve built up but not taken — see holiday pay.

Check the final payslip Underpaid notice or missing holiday on your last payslip is an unlawful deduction you can challenge. See underpaid wages, and keep your contract and payslips.

Gross misconduct, pay in lieu & garden leave

Situation	What it means
Gross misconduct	For something serious (theft, violence, serious breach of trust), you can be dismissed instantly with no notice or notice pay. If it isn’t genuine gross misconduct, dismissal without notice may be unfair or wrongful.
Pay in lieu of notice (PILON)	Your job ends straight away but you’re paid for the notice instead of working it — allowed if your contract permits it or you agree.
Garden leave	You stay employed and paid during notice but are told not to come in — often to keep you away from clients or information before you join a competitor.

What to do

Do this now

Find your notice period in your contract (remember: the longer of contractual and statutory applies). If you’re resigning, put it in writing with your last working day, keep a copy, and follow any handover steps. Need the words? Use the letter writer.

If your employer refuses proper notice or notice pay, get free help from ACAS on 0300 123 1100 or Citizens Advice, and check the rest of your rights at work.

Source verification

Primary sourceGOV.UK — Handing in your notice / Redundancy notice periods; ACAS — Notice periods; Employment Rights Act 1996

Specific URLacas.org.uk/notice-periods

Last verified15 June 2026 (the statutory minimums — 1 week for employees, 1 week per year up to 12 for employers — plus notice pay, gross misconduct, PILON and garden leave web-checked against GOV.UK + ACAS)

ConfidenceHigh — under the Employment Rights Act 1996 the statutory minimum employer notice is 1 week (1 month–2 years' service) then 1 week per complete year to a maximum of 12 weeks; an employee must give at least 1 week after a month's service; the longer of contractual and statutory notice applies; pay continues through notice (12-week average for variable pay); gross misconduct allows summary dismissal with no notice; PILON requires a contract term or agreement; garden leave keeps you employed and paid.

Key factsemployer: 1 week (1mo–2yr) then 1 week/year, max 12 weeks · employee: 1 week min · longer of contract vs statutory applies · paid through notice + untaken holiday · gross misconduct = no notice · PILON if contract allows · garden leave = employed, paid, kept away

ScopeGreat Britain (Northern Ireland equivalent via nidirect). Information, not legal advice — get free help from ACAS (0300 123 1100) and Citizens Advice.

Notice periods — common questions

How much notice must my employer give me?

At least 1 week if you've worked 1 month to 2 years, then 1 week for each complete year, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Your contract may give more, in which case the longer applies. They can't give less than the statutory minimum unless it's gross misconduct.

How much notice do I have to give to leave?

If your contract is silent, the statutory minimum is 1 week once you've been employed a month — whatever your length of service. Most contracts require more (often a month). Give notice in writing and keep a copy.

Do I get paid during my notice?

Yes — normal pay through your notice, whether working it, on garden leave, or off sick/on family leave (special rules can top you up to at least statutory notice pay). You're also paid for untaken holiday.

Can I be sacked with no notice?

Generally only for gross misconduct — serious enough for instant dismissal — where you get no notice or notice pay. For anything less, you're owed your statutory or contractual notice, or pay in lieu. Dismissal without notice that isn't genuine gross misconduct may be unfair or wrongful.

What's pay in lieu of notice?

PILON ends your job straight away but pays you for the notice instead of working it — allowed if your contract permits or you agree, and you get the basic pay you'd have earned. Garden leave is different: you stay employed and paid but are told not to come in.

Sources The statutory minimum notice periods, notice pay, gross misconduct, PILON and garden leave · ACAS — Notice periods and GOV.UK — Handing in your notice. SortedUK is not a regulated adviser and this is general information — get free help from ACAS or Citizens Advice. Last reviewed: 15 June 2026.

Your safest next step today

Check your contract — then put it in writing.

Know the longer of your contractual and statutory notice, give it in writing, and make sure your final pay includes notice and holiday.

Your rights at work Draft a resignation letter Underpaid? Check here

Sourced to GOV.UK · ACAS · 45+ UK official bodies

Notice cuts both ways — and it’s paid.

A clear floor in law, often topped up by your contract, with pay all the way through. Check yours and give it in writing.

Check your rights at work