Do I get paid on gardening leave, and can I start a new job?
Gardening leave means paid notice away from work, not the end of your job. Your wages and holiday rights continue, but starting another job may need permission.
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Statutory employer notice
How much notice am I owed?
7 full years: 7 weeks of statutory employer notice.
| Continuous service | Minimum |
|---|---|
| 1 month to under 2 years | 1 week |
| 2 to 12 full years | 1 week per year |
| 12 years or more | 12 weeks |
For employees with at least a year’s service. Your contract may give more. Gross misconduct can remove the right to notice. Check the notice rules.
Commencement No. 6, made on 1 October, legally fixes this start for stronger harassment prevention and third-party protections, union access, remaining recognition and derecognition reforms, and time-off rights for union officials, learning representatives and qualifying equality representatives. Section 56 and Schedule 5's seafarer-protection framework also came into force; the operational regulations (SI 2026/1160) were made on 2 November and take effect on 1 December. These changes are in force from 30 October 2026.
The Seafarers (Wages and Working Conditions) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/1160) were made on 2 November and laid before Parliament on 4 November 2026, and are scheduled to take effect on this date across the UK, including Northern Ireland. On services between the UK and France or the Channel Islands whose ships enter a UK harbour at least 120 times a year, operators must pay crew who fall outside UK minimum-wage coverage the equivalent rates: £12.71 an hour at 21 and over, £10.85 at 18 to 20, and £8.00 for under-18s and qualifying apprentices. The regulations also limit spells on board and set minimum rest periods.
The qualifying period is scheduled to fall to six months and the ordinary compensatory-award cap is scheduled to be removed for dismissals with an effective termination date from this day. Strengthened tipping law and the union-rights statement duty are also scheduled for this date.
Fire-and-rehire protections are planned for March, not January. Mandatory gender-equality and menopause action plans for public authorities are also scheduled for March.
Dates and status from our reform tracker. Scheduled does not mean in force.
Gardening leave means paid notice away from work, not the end of your job. Your wages and holiday rights continue, but starting another job may need permission.
Dated guidance. Primary sources. A clear line between the law now and what comes next.
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