Media type · The period of advance warning before employment ends.
Notice period
The advance warning required to end employment, set by law or contract.
Key facts
| What it is | The period of advance warning before employment ends. |
|---|---|
| Who sets or charges it | Employment law sets minimums; the contract can set longer periods within the rules. |
| Check before accepting | Length during and after probation, garden leave and the effect on the permit. |
Notice is a cash and timing term
A long notice period delays the start of a new job and may overlap with the end of a permit or a lease. Some contracts allow the employer to place an employee on garden leave during notice, keeping the salary obligation while removing access to work. Others allow payment in lieu.
Check how notice interacts with the relocation clawback and with any signing bonus. A repayment obligation can survive the end of employment, so the effective cost of leaving includes both the notice and the clawback. Ask for the exact wording before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Can notice be paid instead of worked?
Sometimes, if the contract or the law allows payment in lieu. Confirm whether the employer can choose it unilaterally.
Does notice start when I resign?
Usually, but the contract may define the start, require a written form and set rules for delivery. Follow the stated procedure.