Notice: from two weeks to twelve, by length of service
By Equipo SaplicPublished on 11/08/2026Updated on 12/08/2026
The Employment Act sets a sliding scale. The longer you have been there, the more warning you are legally due.
For guidance only
The amounts and deadlines in this guide can change by law. Always check the update date and the official sources cited below. For a specific case, consult the labour authority or a professional.
The Employment (Termination and Redundancy Payments) Act — which repealed the old Masters and Servants Act of 1842 — sets out the notice an employer must give before ending a contract.
The scale
Under 5 years of service: at least 2 weeks notice
5 to under 10 years: 4 weeks
10 to under 15 years: 6 weeks
15 to under 20 years: 8 weeks
20 years or more: 12 weeks
Pay in lieu
An employer who does not want you to work out the notice period can pay you the equivalent instead. That is lawful — what is not lawful is simply giving no notice and no payment.
It cuts both ways
The Act sets out notice obligations for both employer and employee. If you resign, you owe notice too.
Four weeks of employment
An employee who has been continuously employed for four weeks is entitled to the protections of the Act. Below that threshold the position is different.
Fixed-term contracts
If a fixed-term contract ends on its stated date, no notice is required — the contract simply expires.
But if you continue working for more than four weeks after expiry, the notice provisions come back into play. That is a detail worth knowing if your contract quietly rolled over.
Notice and redundancy are separate
If your role is made redundant, you are owed both the notice above and the redundancy payment. One does not absorb the other.
Where to complain
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security handles complaints about termination. Keep your letter of employment, payslips and any written communication.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice am I owed?
It depends on service: at least 2 weeks under 5 years, 4 weeks from 5 to 10, 6 weeks from 10 to 15, 8 weeks from 15 to 20, and 12 weeks at 20 years or more.
Can my employer pay me instead of giving notice?
Yes, pay in lieu of notice is lawful. What is not lawful is giving neither notice nor payment.
Do I have to give notice if I resign?
Yes. The Act sets notice obligations for both employer and employee.
What happens with a fixed-term contract?
If it ends on its stated date, no notice is required. But if you keep working more than four weeks past expiry, the notice provisions apply again.
Is notice included in my redundancy payment?
No. They are separate entitlements. If your role is made redundant, you are owed both.