Notice periods policy template

Notice periods policy template

This model policy is to confirm the usual arrangements for providing notice to terminate an employment contract.

£12.90
Specifications
Access 12 months (includes updates)
Length 291 words · 2 pages
Jurisdiction England, Wales and Scotland
Based on UK employment law, ACAS guidance
Last review 01/08/2026
Next review 01/02/2027
Delivery Instant download
Formats .doc · .txt · email

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Notice periods policy

1   Overview

1.1   The purpose of this notice periods policy is to establish a standard for giving notice of termination of employment by employees of the organisation, based on their level of responsibility. This policy is in accordance with UK employment law.

2   Scope

2.1   This policy is applicable to all employees of [company name].

3   General principles

3.1   Notice Period

All employees are required to give notice of their intention to resign from the organisation. The notice period is based on the level of responsibility held by the employee, as outlined in the

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For more value, this is also found in our Full library and Terminating employment policy templates

What is a notice periods policy?

A notice periods policy is a document that outlines the amount of notice that an employee or employer must provide before terminating an employment contract.

The policy typically sets out the length of the notice period, the circumstances under which notice may be given or waived, and any procedures that must be followed when giving or receiving notice.

 

Compliance

UK employment law and best practice

In the UK, notice periods are governed by law and vary depending on the length of service and the terms of the employment contract. The notice periods policy should reflect the legal requirements and any additional policies or procedures that the employer has put in place.

 A typical notice periods policy may include the following information:

  • The length of notice required from both the employer and the employee

  • Circumstances under which notice can be waived or shortened

  • Procedures for giving notice, such as in writing or verbally

  • Any pay or benefits that the employee is entitled to during the notice period

  • Any additional requirements or obligations for the employee during the notice period, such as returning company property or completing certain tasks

  • Consequences of failing to provide the required notice, such as loss of pay or other disciplinary action

UK employment law guidance for Notice periods policy template

Related Terminating employment HR templates

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this in my small business?

Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.

Is it compliant with 2026 UK employment law?

Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.

Can I customise it for my organisation?

Yes, we highlight the areas of the document that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.

Do I get instant access to it?

Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.

What if I need more help, not just this template?

If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Notice periods policy template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.

Why should I use this Notice periods policy template, and not AI to generate it?

AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing terminating employment processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

Executive recommendation

"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."

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Ruth Brock Chief Executive Officer The Hygiene Bank
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