Covers employees and workers in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own rules.
Notice period calculator
The legal minimum notice an employer must give rises with length of service, up to 12 weeks.
Rates and rules used: Statutory minimum notice from an employer: one week after one month's service, then one week per full year from two years, up to 12 weeks. Sources: GOV.UK giving staff notice. Checked 16th September 2026. Rates are updated whenever the rules change, and checked at least every April.
The statutory minimum
After one month's service an employer must give at least one week's notice. After two years it is one week for each full year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
This is general information, not legal or employment advice. The calculators show the statutory minimums for England, Scotland and Wales only, and your contract may give you more. Individual circumstances can change the answer, so if you are in a dispute, contact Acas or take advice before relying on these figures. Rates checked against GOV.UK and Acas in September 2026.