Notice Period Calculator UK 2026 – Free & Accurate

❓ Can I withdraw my resignation once I've given notice?

Short answer: Only if your employer agrees.

Once you've resigned, you have no automatic legal right to withdraw it. Your resignation is a unilateral act that terminates your employment contract. If you change your mind, speak to your employer immediately – they may agree, especially if you resigned in writing and it's early in the notice period.

Exception: "Heat of the moment" resignations made in anger or under extreme stress may be withdrawn immediately. If you say "I quit!" in a heated argument and immediately retract it, employment tribunals have sometimes ruled this wasn't a true resignation.

Best practice: Never resign in anger. Always take time to think, and resign in writing with a clear effective date.

❓ Can I be forced to take holiday during my notice period?

Yes, your employer can require you to take accrued holiday during notice.

Employers must give you notice that's at least twice as long as the holiday they want you to take. For example, to make you take 5 days holiday during notice, they must tell you at least 10 days in advance.

What you're entitled to:

• Any unused holiday must be paid in your final salary
• Holiday continues to accrue during your notice period
• You can request to take holiday (employer can refuse)
• Bank holidays during notice may reduce your holiday entitlement

Exception: If you're dismissed for gross misconduct, you'll still get paid for unused holiday up to dismissal date, but may not be able to take it.

❓ What if I'm off sick during my notice period?

Your notice period continues regardless of sick leave.

If you're ill during your notice period:

• Notice runs: Your notice period continues and ends on the original date
• Pay: You receive whatever sick pay you're entitled to (SSP or contractual)
• Certification: You still need fit notes if off for more than 7 days
• Can't extend: Being sick doesn't extend your notice period

If already on long-term sick: Your employer can still give you notice while you're off sick, and the notice period runs concurrently with your sick leave.

❓ Can I work for a competitor during my notice period?

It depends on your contract terms.

During working notice: Generally no – you owe a duty of fidelity to your current employer and cannot work elsewhere while employed.

During garden leave: Definitely no – you're still employed and typically have explicit restrictions preventing you from working elsewhere or contacting clients.

After PILON: Usually yes (once employed ends) unless you have post-termination restrictions like:

• Non-compete clauses (must be reasonable in scope/duration)
• Non-solicitation clauses (can't poach clients/staff)
• Confidentiality obligations (indefinite)

Check your contract: These clauses are only enforceable if reasonable and properly drafted.

❓ What's the difference between notice period and redundancy consultation?

They're different processes that often overlap:

Redundancy consultation:

• Discussion about the redundancy before it's confirmed
• Employer explains why, explores alternatives, discusses selection
• Minimum 30 days for 20-99 redundancies, 45 days for 100+
• Individual consultation can be shorter but must be meaningful

Notice period:

• Starts AFTER redundancy is confirmed
• The working period (or garden leave/PILON) before employment ends
• Based on statutory or contractual terms

Timeline example: 30-day consultation → redundancy confirmed → 8-week notice period starts → employment ends after 8 weeks.

❓ When will I receive my P45 after my employment ends?

Your employer must give you a P45 on or before your last day of employment.

P45 timing:

• Working notice: On your actual last working day
• Garden leave: On the last day of your notice period (when employment ends)
• PILON: On the day employment terminates (usually the day PILON is paid)

What if it's delayed? You can start a new job without it (use a starter checklist), but you may be put on emergency tax code until your P45 arrives.

Digital P45: Some employers provide electronic P45s – these are legally valid and you can give them to your new employer digitally.

❓ Do I have to give notice if I've only worked a few days or weeks?

It depends on how long you've worked and what your contract says:

Less than 1 month service:

• No statutory minimum notice requirement
• BUT your contract might still require notice (check it)
• Common for probation: 1 week notice even if employed less than a month

Over 1 month service:

• Statutory minimum: 1 week notice
• Contract may require longer

Practical advice: Even if you don't legally have to give notice, it's professional to give at least a week if possible – you never know when you might cross paths with this employer again.

❓ Can my notice period be longer than my employer's?

Yes, and this is common in senior roles.

Your contract can specify different notice periods for employee and employer:

Example:

• Employee (you) must give: 3 months' notice when resigning
• Employer must give: 6 months' notice when dismissing you

Why? Employers want longer notice when senior staff resign (for handover), but must give longer notice when dismissing (to give you time to find new role).

Statutory override: If statutory minimum is longer than contractual, statutory always wins (but employee statutory is only 1 week, so rarely applies).