Statutory Notice Periods Explained – HR Guidance for UK Employers
📘 Tuesday Blog – HR Fact
HR Fact: Understanding Statutory Notice Periods in the UK
When ending employment, employers must follow statutory notice rules under the Employment Rights Act 1996. These minimum notice periods apply regardless of what is written in the contract.
Statutory minimum notice periods:
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1 week — if employed between 1 month and 2 years
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2–12 weeks — one week’s notice for each full year of service (up to 12)
Employers may offer longer contractual notice, but cannot offer less than the statutory minimum.
Not meeting legal notice obligations can lead to claims for wrongful dismissal, unpaid wages and reputational harm.
At Consensus HR, we help SMEs ensure their contracts and dismissal procedures follow UK employment law while protecting the business.
Comment from Matthew Chilcott – Owner:
“Notice periods seem simple, but mistakes can be costly. A robust contract and correct process help protect both the business and its people.”
👉 Learn more about compliant HR processes: https://www.consensushr.com
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