UK · 2026

UK Redundancy Notice Period Calculator

Work out the statutory minimum notice your employer must give you when making you redundant. Based on years of continuous service.

Statutory notice is based on full years. Fractional years round down.

Statutory minimum notice

5 weeks

Based on your full years of continuous service.

Your contract may give you more. Contractual notice can exceed the statutory minimum. The higher of the two applies. If your contract is silent, the statutory figure applies.

This gives the statutory minimum your employer must give you when making you redundant. Your contractual notice (in your employment contract) may be longer; use whichever is greater.

How statutory redundancy notice works

Section 86 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 sets a minimum notice the employer must give you to terminate your employment, including for redundancy. It scales with your length of continuous service.

The formula

  • Less than one month: no statutory notice.
  • One month to under two years: one week.
  • Two years to under twelve years: one week per full year.
  • Twelve years or more: twelve weeks (capped).

Worked examples

Three years’ service: statutory minimum is three weeks. If your contract gives you one month notice, the contractual figure (one month) applies because it’s longer.

Eight years’ service: statutory minimum is eight weeks. If your contract gives you one month, the statutory figure (eight weeks) applies because it’s longer.

Fifteen years’ service: statutory minimum is twelve weeks (the cap). Anything in your contract above twelve weeks applies on top.

Notice vs PILON

The employer can either let you work the notice or pay you in lieu. If your contract has a PILON clause, they can use it unilaterally; if not, you have to agree. Either way you should be paid the full value of the notice period. Use the PILON calculator to work out the gross figure.

Working notice during redundancy

During statutory or contractual redundancy notice you’re entitled to reasonable paid time off to look for work or arrange training. That’s in addition to the notice itself. Most employers give you a fixed number of days; the law uses “reasonable” which depends on your circumstances.

Related calculators and guides

For the official guidance, see gov.uk on redundancy and ACAS on redundancy.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice must my employer give for redundancy?
The statutory minimum is: 1 week if you've been employed between 1 month and 2 years; 1 week per complete year of service if you've been employed 2 to 12 years; and capped at 12 weeks for 12+ years' service. Your contractual notice may be longer, in which case the contractual figure applies.
Can my employer give less than the statutory notice?
No, not without paying PILON. The statutory minimum is a legal floor. If they want you out sooner, they have to pay you for the notice they didn't give.
Does the statutory notice apply during probation?
Yes, once you've completed one month of continuous service. Before one month, there's no statutory notice on either side, though your contract may still specify a notice period.
Is the statutory notice the same for resignation?
From you to the employer, the statutory minimum is one week regardless of length of service (once you're past one month). Your contractual notice is usually longer. From the employer to you, it scales with service as above.
What's the difference between this and redundancy pay?
Notice is how long until your last day of employment. Redundancy pay is a lump sum payable on top, based on age, service, and weekly pay. Use the redundancy pay calculator for the lump sum and this one for the notice.

General information, not legal advice. If you’re facing redundancy and the figures look wrong, contact ACAS or an employment-law solicitor.