Notice by grade
| Grade | Typical notice (both sides) |
|---|---|
| AA / AO | 1 month |
| EO / HEO | 1 month, sometimes 2 in specialist roles |
| SEO / Grade 7 | 3 months |
| Grade 6 | 3 months |
| SCS Pay Band 1 | 3 months (often 6 by contract) |
| SCS Pay Band 2-3 | 6 months typical |
| Permanent Secretaries | 6 to 12 months |
The Civil Service Management Code applies across most departments; individual contracts and departmental HR handbooks may vary the figure upwards.
Where the rules come from
Three layers govern Civil Service notice:
- Section 86 Employment Rights Act 1996 provides the statutory floor (one week from one month of service, rising with tenure for the employer side).
- The Civil Service Management Code sets the contractual framework departments must follow.
- Individual employment contracts, published departmental HR policies and where relevant negotiated national agreements (PCS, FDA, Prospect union frameworks) specify the actual figure for each grade.
Probation
Civil Service probation is usually six months across most grades. Notice during probation is shorter than the post-probation figure (typically one week for AA/AO/EO, one month for SEO/G7). Confirmation is normally automatic on the probation end date unless concerns have been raised. See probation period notice period for the mechanics and probation end date calculator for date arithmetic.
Fast Stream
Fast Stream candidates are on a scheme-specific contract with mid-scheme posting expectations. Resigning mid-scheme has different consequences from other grades: some Fast Stream candidates are required to complete a defined placement period, and leaving early can affect return-of-service obligations where the scheme funded training.
The written offer letter and Fast Stream candidate handbook are the definitive documents. Cabinet Office HR should be your first port of call for a specific position.
Redundancy
Civil Service redundancy is governed by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS). Terms have been reformed several times (most recently 2016), and the departmental Voluntary Exit and Voluntary Redundancy schemes each carry their own calculation. Statutory redundancy applies as a floor; contractual CSCS terms are more generous.
For the framework see redundancy rights UK and the redundancy pay calculator for the statutory figure.
Garden leave and PILON
Garden leave clauses appear in senior Civil Service contracts (usually SCS and above) and where a role has clear market sensitivity (Treasury, DIT, MOD). PILON is used in exit-negotiation contexts, particularly voluntary exit schemes. Both are contractual; without an express clause, neither can be imposed unilaterally.
Use the PILON calculator for gross figures and see PILON tax for the PENP treatment.
Union routes
PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) covers most junior and mid-grade civil servants. FDA covers senior managers, policy and Fast Stream. Prospect covers specialists. If you are involved in a dispute or negotiation over notice, union representation is worth engaging early; representative and union confidentiality apply throughout.
Handing in notice
A short written letter to your line manager copied to HR, alongside the ESR-equivalent formal notification in your department. State the resignation clearly, name the role, give the final working day calculated from the contractual notice, and offer to support the handover.
The resignation letter generator produces a suitable letter. For the full sequence see the complete UK resignation guide.
Useful calculators
- Notice period calculator
- Final working day calculator
- Probation end date calculator
- PILON calculator
- Redundancy pay calculator
Related guides
- Notice period rights UK
- Statutory notice period UK
- How much notice do I have to give?
- Probation period notice period
- The complete UK resignation guide
Authority pages
Frequently asked questions
- What is the notice period for an EO in the Civil Service?
- Typically one month on both sides once probation has passed. Some specialist EO roles use two months. Your written contract and departmental HR handbook are definitive.
- How much notice does an SCS give?
- Three months is the AfC-style default for SCS Pay Band 1; six months is common at Pay Bands 2 and 3. Permanent Secretary contracts often run to twelve months. All SCS contracts are individually negotiated at appointment.
- Can I resign during a Fast Stream posting?
- Yes, but the scheme requires you to complete some placements before you can move on internally. External resignation follows the contractual notice (usually one to three months depending on scheme year and grade band). Take advice from your Fast Stream HR contact before drafting a resignation.
- Does the Civil Service Compensation Scheme apply to me?
- Yes if you are a substantive civil servant paid through central government payroll. Agency staff, contractors and consultants are generally not covered. CSCS terms depend on your entry date and scheme membership (Classic, Premium, Classic Plus, Nuvos or Alpha).
- Are civil servants entitled to statutory redundancy pay?
- Yes at the statutory floor after two years of service, but CSCS almost always pays more. Where CSCS is more generous (usually), it applies instead of statutory. Take pension and CSCS advice before accepting terms.
Sources and further reading
- Civil Service Management Code — Central contractual framework for the Civil Service.
- Employment Rights Act 1996, section 86 — Statutory minimum notice.
- Cabinet Office: Civil Service Compensation Scheme — The redundancy and exit compensation framework.
- PCS Union guidance — Union reference for civil servants.
- ACAS: Notice periods — Free, impartial UK employment advice.
General information about UK employment law, not legal advice. For your situation, contact ACAS or an employment-law solicitor.