Minimum notice when a job ends

When a job ends, there is a legal minimum notice period. It is set out in section 86 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 and depends on length of continuous employment.

Notice your employer must give

Once you have worked one month or more, your employer must give at least (s86(1)):

• 1 week if you have less than 2 years' service;
• 1 week for each full year if you have between 2 and 12 years;
• 12 weeks if you have 12 years or more.

Notice you must give

An employee with one month or more of service must give at least 1 week's notice (s86(2)), unless the contract requires more.

It is a floor, not a ceiling

The law sets a minimum. Your contract may give longer — then the longer contractual notice applies. Instead of working the notice, the parties can agree a payment in lieu of notice, if the contract allows it.

Good to know

During notice your normal terms and pay continue. Separately, gross misconduct can justify dismissal without notice — but that is an exception the employer must justify. Check disputes with Acas.

Source: section 86 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Checked 25 October 2026.