When Does My Notice Period End?
Your notice period ends after the specified number of days from your resignation date. For a 2-week notice starting January 1, your last day would be January 14. Use our Notice Period Calculator to find your exact final working day based on your contract terms.
Key Takeaways
- A notice period is the time between when you submit your resignation and your last day of work.
- Public holidays may or may not count toward your notice period depending on your contract and local laws.
- Some employers may waive part or all of your notice period, allowing you to leave earlier.
Explanation
A notice period is the time between when you submit your resignation and your last day of work. Common periods include 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months, depending on your employment contract and position level.
To calculate your end date: Start with your resignation submission date, then add the notice period length minus one day (since day 1 is your resignation day). For example, a 14-day notice starting January 1 ends January 14.
Your notice period may be in calendar days (including weekends) or working days (business days only), depending on your contract. Always check your employment agreement for the specific terms.
In the United States, the standard professional courtesy is 2 weeks (10 business days), though no federal law requires any notice period for at-will employees. In the UK, the statutory minimum is 1 week for employees with 1 month to 2 years of service, increasing by 1 week per year of service up to 12 weeks. In Germany, the legal minimum is 4 weeks to either the 15th or the end of a calendar month, and many contracts specify 3-month notice periods for senior roles.
The date you hand in your resignation letter—or send the email—is typically considered day one of your notice period. Verbal resignations may not count in some jurisdictions until confirmed in writing. To protect yourself, send your resignation via email or hand-deliver a signed letter and request written acknowledgment. Keep a personal copy with the date and time of submission, as disputes about when notice was given can affect your final paycheck and benefits termination date.
Things to Know
- Public holidays may or may not count toward your notice period depending on your contract and local laws.
- Some employers may waive part or all of your notice period, allowing you to leave earlier.
- Garden leave is when you remain employed during notice but don't need to work - this still counts toward your notice period.
- If you resign effective immediately without serving notice, your employer may withhold pay for the unserved portion in some jurisdictions, or deduct the cost from your final paycheck depending on your contract terms.