Managers guide to increasing an employee notice period
Our Guide to Increasing an Employee Notice Period provides step-by-step instructions to navigate the process, ensuring legal compliance and smooth transitions.
- 1 page / 244 words.
- Last updated 26/04/2023.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Managers guide to increasing an employee notice period
Starting a conversation about increasing someone's notice period can be a sensitive topic, but it's important to approach it in a respectful and professional manner. Here are some tips to help you start the conversation:
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Schedule a meeting: Set up a time to meet with the employee in question. Be sure to give them adequate notice and explain the purpose of the meeting.
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Be clear and direct: Clearly explain the
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Increasing an employee's notice period can have benefits for both the company and the employee.
Benefits to the Company:
- Provides more time to find a suitable replacement: A longer notice period can give the company more time to search for a qualified replacement, reducing the risk of gaps in the workforce and minimizing disruption to the business.
- Facilitates a smooth transition: A longer notice period can give the employee more time to train their successor and ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and knowledge.
- Protects the company's interests: A longer notice period can help protect the company's interests and reduce the risk of losing key clients or stakeholders as a result of the employee's departure.
Benefits to the Employee:
- Provides more time to secure a new job: A longer notice period can give the employee more time to search for a new job and secure their future employment.
- Builds goodwill with the company: Agreeing to a longer notice period can build goodwill with the company and demonstrate the employee's commitment to a smooth transition.
- Increases compensation: In some cases, the company may offer additional compensation in exchange for a longer notice period.
Overall, increasing an employee's notice period can have benefits for both the company and the employee, as it can help ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruption to the business.
It is usually delivered to the Employee by the Employer / HR.
Compliance
Compliance
This Managers guide to increasing an employee notice period incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
Here are some key UK employment legislation related to implementing an increased notice period:
- The Employment Rights Act 1996: This act requires employers to provide employees with a minimum notice period before terminating their employment. The statutory minimum notice period is one week if the employee has been employed for at least one month, and increases with the length of service.
- The Equality Act 2010: This act prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics such as age, gender, and disability. When implementing an increased notice period, employers must ensure that they are not discriminating against any employee or group of employees.
- The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE): If a business is sold or transferred to another employer, TUPE regulations require the new employer to honor the existing employment contracts, including notice periods.
- The Working Time Regulations 1998: These regulations set out the maximum number of working hours and minimum rest periods for employees. Employers must ensure that the increased notice period does not violate these regulations.
- The Data Protection Act 2018: Employers must comply with data protection laws when collecting, processing, and storing employee data, including information related to notice periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Managers guide to increasing an employee notice period is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas 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.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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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 this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
