Notice Periods

Notice periods are governed by Article 17 of the Labour Law. Before terminating an indefinite-term contract, the other party must be notified; the contract ends at the end of the notice period. The notice period gives the employee time to find a new job and the employer time to find a replacement.

The Periods

• Two weeks for employees with less than six months’ service,
• Four weeks for six months to one and a half years,
• Six weeks for one and a half to three years,
• Eight weeks for more than three years.

These are minimums and may be extended by contract. Longer notice periods are common in senior executives’ contracts.

During the Notice Period

The contract continues during the notice period; the employee keeps working and the employer keeps paying. The employer must give the employee at least two hours a day of paid job-search leave during working hours; the employee may take it in one block if they wish. The employer may end the contract immediately by paying wages for the period in advance.

Terminations Not Requiring Notice

• No notice is required for termination for just cause.
• Notice does not apply to terminations during the probation period.
• Fixed-term contracts end automatically on expiry.

If Not Observed

The party not observing the notice period pays payment in lieu of notice equal to wages for the period. For employees covered by job security, observing the notice period does not remove the requirement that the termination be based on a valid reason.