Calculate notice period
Enter the employment start date and the date notice is given. Add any contractual notice period if the contract gives more than the statutory minimum.
How the notice period calculator works
The calculator works out your full service length on the date notice is given, then estimates the statutory minimum notice period. If you enter a longer contractual notice period, the calculator uses that instead.
A notice period is the time between notice being given and employment ending. Your contract may set out how notice is given, when it starts and whether payment in lieu of notice can apply.
employer statutory notice:
1 month to less than 2 years = 1 week
2 to 12 years = 1 week per full year
12 years or more = 12 weeks
employee resignation statutory notice:
1 month or more = at least 1 week
notice used = longer of statutory notice and contractual notice
Employer notice for dismissal or redundancy
If an employer dismisses an employee or makes them redundant, statutory notice depends on continuous employment. The minimum is normally 1 week after 1 month of service, then 1 week for each full year from 2 to 12 years, capped at 12 weeks.
| Length of service | Minimum employer notice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 month | No statutory minimum | Contract may still give notice. |
| 1 month to less than 2 years | 1 week | 1.5 years’ service = 1 week. |
| 2 to 12 years | 1 week for each full year | 5 years’ service = 5 weeks. |
| 12 years or more | 12 weeks | 15 years’ service = 12 weeks. |
Employee resignation notice
When an employee resigns, the statutory minimum is usually 1 week if they have worked for at least 1 month. Many contracts require more than this, such as 1 month, 3 months or another agreed period.
The calculator lets you enter the contractual notice period, then uses the longer notice period for the leaving-date estimate.
Contractual notice vs statutory notice
A contract can give more notice than the statutory minimum, but it should not give less. If the contract says 1 month and statutory notice is 5 weeks, statutory notice may be longer. If the contract says 3 months and statutory notice is 5 weeks, the contract may be longer.
This calculator compares both in days for the date estimate, but it cannot interpret every contract wording. Always check the exact written terms.
Important: contracts can define notice differently, including whether notice starts immediately, the next day, at the end of a week or at the end of a month.
Example notice period calculations
These examples assume employer notice and no longer contractual notice.
| Service length | Statutory employer notice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 years | 1 week | Between 1 month and 2 years. |
| 5 years | 5 weeks | 1 week for each full year. |
| 15 years | 12 weeks | Statutory notice is capped at 12 weeks. |
Notice pay and final pay
Notice period and notice pay are connected, but they are not exactly the same thing. Some employees work their notice, some are put on garden leave, and some receive payment in lieu of notice.
Final pay may also include wages, holiday pay, overtime, bonus, deductions or redundancy pay. This calculator estimates dates and periods only.
Check redundancy pay too
If notice relates to redundancy, estimate statutory redundancy pay separately.
Holiday during notice
Annual leave can affect what happens during notice, especially if holiday is taken, carried over or paid in the final payslip. Your employer may also require holiday to be taken during notice if the correct notice is given.
Estimate holiday entitlement
Use the holiday entitlement calculator to estimate statutory annual leave.
Related notice glossary terms
These terms help explain notice, final pay and redundancy-related calculations.
Notice period FAQs
Does this calculator give legal advice?
No. It gives a planning estimate based on common statutory notice rules and any contract notice you enter. Always check your contract and official guidance.
Can my contract give more notice?
Yes. Contracts often give more notice than the statutory minimum. This calculator uses the longer of statutory and contractual notice.
What if my contract says notice starts the next day?
Use the “next calendar day” option. Some contracts use different rules, such as month-end dates, so check the wording carefully.
Does this calculate final pay?
No. It estimates notice length and leaving date. Final pay can include salary, holiday pay, notice pay, redundancy pay and deductions.