Employment

Notice Periods: What You Actually Have to Do (And What You Can Get Away With)

You've got a new job. Congratulations. Now you need to tell your current employer you're leaving. How much notice do you have to give? Can they make you work it? What if you just... don't? Let's sort this out.

The Legal Minimum

If you've been employed for at least a month, you must give at least one week's notice. That's the statutory minimum for employees. Your contract probably says something different — usually longer. You're bound by whichever is greater: the statutory minimum or your contractual notice. Most contracts say:

  • Junior roles: 1-4 weeks
  • Mid-level: 1-3 months
  • Senior: 3-6 months
  • Executive: 6-12 months

Check your contract. It's in there somewhere.

What Your Employer Owes You

When they're ending your employment (not for gross misconduct), the statutory minimum notice is:

  • 1 month to 2 years: 1 week
  • 2-12 years: 1 week per year
  • 12+ years: 12 weeks

So if you've been there 7 years, they owe you 7 weeks' notice. Again, your contract might say more. You get whichever is longer.

Can You Just Leave?

Technically, you can walk out whenever you want. Nobody's going to physically stop you. But there are consequences:

  • They might not pay you. If you don't work your notice, they can withhold pay for the unworked period.
  • They could sue you. Rare, but possible if your sudden departure causes significant damage.
  • Bad reference. Leaving badly makes it worse.
  • Burned bridges. Industries are smaller than you think. People talk.

Usually, it's not worth the hassle. Work your notice, leave professionally.

Negotiating a Shorter Notice

Most employers will negotiate if you ask nicely. "I know my contract says three months, but my new role starts in six weeks. Is there any flexibility?" They might say yes because:

  • They don't want an unhappy employee hanging around
  • Paying you to do nothing for weeks isn't great for anyone
  • They'd rather part on good terms

It doesn't hurt to ask. The worst they can say is no.

Garden Leave

Garden leave means you're still employed, still being paid, but you don't come to work. You're "kept away" from the business. Why would they do this?

  • You're going to a competitor and they don't want you accessing sensitive information
  • They want to protect client relationships
  • They're worried about you poaching colleagues

During garden leave, you get full pay and benefits, you're still bound by your contract, you can't start your new job yet, and you're basically on paid holiday.

Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON)

Instead of working your notice, they pay you for it and you leave immediately. Tax treatment depends on whether PILON is in your contract:

  • Contractual PILON: Taxed as normal earnings
  • Non-contractual PILON: Might be tax-free as part of a termination payment (up to £30,000)

If they offer PILON, check the tax implications before agreeing.

What Happens During Notice

You're still an employee. That means you must:

  • Turn up and do your job
  • Complete handover tasks
  • Return company property
  • Maintain confidentiality

You're entitled to:

  • Normal pay and benefits
  • Accrued holiday (take it or get paid for it)
  • Time off to job hunt if you're being made redundant

The Holiday Question

You've got 10 days of holiday left and 4 weeks' notice. What happens? Option 1: Take the holiday during notice — you work 2 weeks, take 2 weeks off. Option 2: Get paid for it — work all 4 weeks, get 10 days' pay added to your final salary. Option 3: Employer requires you to take it — they can do this with proper notice. Usually, it's a negotiation. Most employers prefer you take the holiday rather than pay it out.

The Professional Way to Resign

  1. Tell your manager first. In person if possible. Don't let them hear it from HR or email.
  2. Follow up in writing. A brief resignation letter confirming your last day.
  3. Be gracious. Even if you hated the job, keep it professional.
  4. Offer to help with handover. Shows good faith.
  5. Don't badmouth. Not to colleagues, not on LinkedIn, not anywhere.
  6. Work properly until the end. Don't mentally check out.

The Bottom Line

You never know when you'll cross paths with these people again. Notice periods exist for a reason — they give both sides time to adjust. Honour yours unless there's a genuine reason not to. If you need to leave sooner, ask. If they need you to stay longer, negotiate. Most situations can be resolved with a conversation. And whatever you do, leave on good terms. Your reputation follows you.

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