When it comes to quitting or getting laid off from a job in the United Kingdom, there are notice periods that must be followed. This guide will explain how notice periods work in the UK.
If you quit your job:
- The default notice period for employees in the UK is one week if you have been employed for less than two years, and two weeks if you have been employed for two years or more.
- Your employment contract may specify a longer notice period, so it is important to check your contract to see what applies to you.
- If you are still in your probation period, your notice period is usually shorter than the default period. This is typically one week, but it can be longer depending on your contract.
- Your notice period starts the day after your employer receives your resignation letter. For example, if you give your resignation letter on November 1, your notice period starts on November 2.
If you get laid off or fired:
- The notice period you are entitled to depends on how long you have worked for your employer. The minimum notice period is one week if you have been employed for less than two years, and it increases by one week for each additional year of employment, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
- Your employment contract may specify a longer notice period, so it is important to check your contract to see what applies to you.
- If you get fired for gross misconduct, there is no notice period.
Before your first day of work:
- If you quit or lose your job before you start working, the notice period is 2 weeks. If this happens at least 2 weeks before your start date, you do not need to work during the notice period.
Not Working Notice Periods
Dealing with an employee’s refusal to work their notice period can be quite challenging. For some employees, the moment they hand in their resignation is the moment they shut down. If the employee refuses to work their notice period, your options are limited.
You can try to negotiate with the employee to see if there is a way to resolve the situation, but ultimately, you may need to take legal action.If an employee refuses to work their notice period, you may be able to withhold their pay for the period they refuse to work.
However, you should be careful when doing this, as it could be seen as a breach of contract. You should also be aware that if you withhold pay, the employee may take legal action against you.
References:
- “Check your notice period when resigning.” Citizens Advice, https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/resigning/your-notice-period-when-resigning/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.
- “Explained: Notice Periods in the UK, Germany and the USA.” The Lingoda Blog, https://blog.lingoda.com/en/notice-periods-explained-in-the-uk-the-us-and-germany/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.
- “Notice periods – can they be reduced?” Lexology, https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=39e58674-a145-45f9-b6f3-d254c11cb4ac. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.
- “What is a notice period? (with examples).” Indeed, https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/notice-period. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.
