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Free tools › Notice periods by country

Notice period:
Singapore vs United Kingdom

Statutory notice period in Singapore and the UK, side by side, with the primary source for every figure.

How do notice periods compare between Singapore and UK?

Singapore: Where the contract is silent: 1 day to 4 weeks by length of service. The contract can set any period, as long as it is the same both ways. United Kingdom: 1 week after a month's service, then 1 week per full year from 2 years, capped at 12 weeks. At five years' service that means 4 weeks in Singapore and 5 weeks in the UK.

Singapore vs United Kingdom, side by side

SingaporeUnited Kingdom
The ruleWhere the contract is silent: 1 day to 4 weeks by length of service. The contract can set any period, as long as it is the same both ways.1 week after a month's service, then 1 week per full year from 2 years, capped at 12 weeks.
At 1 year1 week1 week
At 5 years4 weeks5 weeks
At 10 years4 weeks10 weeks
Key numbersDefault range: 1 day to 4 weeks by tenure; Contractual notice: Overrides the default; must be equal both ways; Payment in lieu: PermittedEmployer notice: 1 week per year of service (2-12 years); Cap: 12 weeks; Employee minimum: 1 week

Singapore

Singapore's Employment Act scale is a fallback, not a floor. If the contract sets notice, that applies (it must be equal for employer and employee). If it does not, the statutory bands run from 1 day under 26 weeks' service to 4 weeks at 5 years or more. Either side can pay salary in lieu.

  • Default range1 day to 4 weeks by tenure
  • Contractual noticeOverrides the default; must be equal both ways
  • Payment in lieuPermitted
Length of serviceEntitlement
Less than 26 weeks1 day
26 weeks to under 2 years1 week
2 to under 5 years2 weeks
5 years or more4 weeks
  • Because the scale is only a fallback, a contract can lawfully set shorter notice than the default bands.

Source: Ministry of Manpower (Employment Act ss.10-11). Checked July 2026.

United Kingdom

Statutory minimum notice from an employer is 1 week between one month and 2 years' service, then 1 week per complete year of service up to a 12-week cap at 12 years. Employees owe at least 1 week after a month. Contracts can extend either side but never go below the statutory floor.

  • Employer notice1 week per year of service (2-12 years)
  • Cap12 weeks
  • Employee minimum1 week
Length of serviceEntitlement
1 month to 2 years1 week
2 to 12 years1 week per complete year
12 years or more12 weeks (cap)
  • The Employment Rights Act 2025 changed a lot in the UK, but not statutory notice; s.86 stands.

Source: GOV.UK (Employment Rights Act 1996 s.86). Checked July 2026.

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from the government source for its market.

MarketSourceRule / effectiveVerified
SingaporeMinistry of ManpowerEmployment Act ss.10-11Checked July 2026
United KingdomGOV.UKEmployment Rights Act 1996 s.86Checked July 2026

Next step

Calculator

True cost of an employee (Singapore)

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True cost of an employee (UK)

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Common questions

What is the rule on notice period in Singapore?

Where the contract is silent: 1 day to 4 weeks by length of service. The contract can set any period, as long as it is the same both ways. Singapore's Employment Act scale is a fallback, not a floor.

What is the rule on notice period in the UK?

1 week after a month's service, then 1 week per full year from 2 years, capped at 12 weeks. Statutory minimum notice from an employer is 1 week between one month and 2 years' service, then 1 week per complete year of service up to a 12-week cap at 12 years.

Where can I check the source figures?

The sources section below links the Singapore and the UK government pages every figure on this page was verified against in July 2026.

This page is general information, not legal advice. We check figures annually and update them on a best-efforts basis, but employment rules change and we cannot promise everything here is current or complete. Before you act on it, confirm the detail with the Ministry of Manpower, GOV.UK or your own adviser. Last reviewed July 2026.