notice period
NOH-tis PEER-ee-ud
/ˈnoʊtɪs ˈpɪəriəd/
The length of time an employee or employer must give before the employment contract ends.
This period allows for a smooth transition, giving the employer time to find a replacement or the employee time to find a new job.
The story behind the word. This is a compound noun phrase. "Notice" comes from the Latin notitia meaning "a being known, knowledge." "Period" comes from the Greek periodos, meaning "a going around, a circuit, a space of time." Together, they describe a specific, known duration of time given as a warning or announcement before an event.
Word relationships
- notice: 'Notice' can be used alone to mean the same thing, but 'notice period' is more formal and precise.
- transition period: Broader, can refer to any period of change.
- immediate termination: Ending employment without a notice period.
Commonly confused with
- garden leave: 'Garden leave' is a specific type of notice period where the employee is paid but not required to work.
Word family
- notice (noun): A formal announcement or warning.
Collocations
- serve a notice period
- statutory notice period
- contractual notice period
- waive the notice period
Example sentences
- "According to her contract, she was required to work a two-week notice period after submitting her resignation." Employee resigning.
- "The company provided him with a three-month notice period, during which he was expected to assist with the handover of his projects." Employer terminating.
Memory hook
The notice period is the time you get after giving notice that you're leaving. Time after notice.
When not to use
Not applicable if employment ends immediately without prior warning (e.g., summary dismissal for gross misconduct).
Fun facts
- The length of a notice period is often stipulated in employment contracts or by law.
Related words
Explore more words
severance, offer, annual leave, reference, transition, sick leave
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