Minimum Notice

What notice do I have to be given that my employment is coming to end?

The Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2005 provides that employees in continuous service with the same employer for at least 13 weeks are entitled to a minimum period of notice before their employer may dismiss them.

 

The notice periods are based on your service with your employer and are as follows:

13 weeks to less than 2 years	1 week
2 years to less than 5 years	2 weeks
5 years to less than 10 years	4 weeks
10 years to less than 15 years	6 weeks
More than 15 years	8 weeks

Are there any circumstances where no notice is required to be given?

The Act does not affect the right of an employer or employee to terminate a contract of employment without notice due to the misconduct of the other party.

 

I am a part-time worker, am I entitled to notice that my employment is coming to an end?

Yes. Part-time workers, regardless of the number of hours worked, are also covered by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2005.

 

How is continuous service defined?

An employee’s service is considered ‘continuous’ unless he/she is either dismissed or voluntarily leaves his/her job.  Continuity of service is not normally affected by strikes, lay-offs or lockouts, nor by dismissal followed by immediate re-employment.