Skip to main content
Part of Start a new job: step by step

Handing in your notice

Skip contents

Payment during your notice period

You’ll usually get your normal pay rate during your notice period.

If you’re off work

You may not get your normal pay rate if you do not work during your notice period because you’re:

  • off sick
  • on holiday
  • on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or on shared parental leave
  • willing to work but your employer has asked you not to because there’s not enough work for you

The amount of pay you can get depends on what is in your contract and if you’re:

  • being dismissed
  • being made redundant
  • resigning

Bonuses and commission

You are entitled to bonuses and commission during your notice period unless your contract states otherwise.

‘Payment in lieu’ of notice period

Your employer can ask you to leave immediately after handing in your notice.

If they do, they’ll probably offer you a one-off payment instead of allowing you to work out your notice period - called ‘payment in lieu’.

You can only get payment in lieu if it’s in your contract or you agree to it. If you do not agree to it, you can work out your notice period.

Disputes over notice pay

If you cannot resolve a dispute about notice pay with your employer informally, you can follow your company’s grievance procedures.

If this does not work, you may be able to make a complaint to an employment tribunal for breach of contract.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Start a new job: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get your National Insurance number

    You'll usually need your National Insurance number when you start your new job.

    1. Find your National Insurance number
    1. Apply for a National Insurance number if you do not already have one

  2. Step 2 Accept the job offer

    The offer might be ‘conditional’ or ‘provisional’, which means you may need to give further details to your new employer or pass pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out about your rights when accepting a job offer

  3. Step 3 Share your details for any employer checks

    Give your new employer what they need to complete any pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out what checks your employer can make
    1. Find out how to prove your right to work
    1. Find out about criminal record checks

  4. Step 4 Review your employment contract

    Your new employer should give you an employment contract. Check the terms before you agree to it.

    1. Find out about employment contracts

  5. and If you're leaving a job, hand in your notice

    Tell your current employer that you’re going to leave and when your last day will be. This is known as handing in your notice.

    1. Find out how to hand in your notice

    When you hand in your notice, ask your employer when you’ll get your P45.

    1. Find out about the P45

  6. Step 5 Prepare your personal information for your first day

    To get paid, you’ll need to give your new employer:

  7. Step 6 Give your P45 to your new employer

    Your new employer will use your P45 to work out how much tax to take from your pay.

    1. Find out about the P45

  8. or If you do not have a P45, fill in the starter checklist

    Use the starter checklist to give your employer details they need to work out your pay and tax.

    1. Fill in the starter checklist

  9. Step 7 Check your first payslip

    Your employer must give you a payslip on or before payday.

    1. Find out what should be on your payslip

    It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax.

    1. Check if the tax on your payslip is correct

    If you think the tax is wrong, your tax code may be incorrect.

    1. Find out what to do if you think your tax code is wrong