Your employer fired you without notice or with minimal notice. Know your statutory rights to payment and how to claim compensation.
Your employer must give statutory minimum notice (1-12 weeks depending on length of service) or pay you for the notice period in lieu. If they terminate immediately without notice or pay, you're entitled to claim your full notice period salary at an Employment Tribunal. You can also claim compensation for unfair dismissal if the termination was unlawful. Claims are free for 3 months after termination; after that, there's a £390 fee.
Your employer must give you statutory minimum notice based on your length of service:
Your contract may require more notice. Statutory minimums are the absolute floor — employers cannot give less.
Instead of requiring you to work during notice, employers can pay you in lieu of notice (PILON). This means:
If your contract doesn't allow PILON, and the employer refuses to allow you to work notice, you can claim the full notice period salary.
Example: You have 5 years service (1 week notice statutory minimum), earn £30,000/year, and were terminated without notice or PILON.
If your contract specifies 4 weeks' notice (more than statutory), use the contract period instead (4 weeks × £576.92 = £2,307.68).
Step 1: Calculate Entitlement — Determine statutory minimum notice based on your length of service, or use contract notice period (whichever is more generous).
Step 2: Request Payment — Write formally to your employer requesting payment for notice period. Include the calculation and a 14-day deadline.
Step 3: Escalate to ACAS — If unpaid, contact ACAS for free conciliation. They'll mediate between you and employer (4-6 weeks).
Step 4: File at Employment Tribunal — If ACAS fails, claim at Employment Tribunal within 3 months of termination (free for first 3 months, then £390 fee). Claim unpaid wages + compensation.
Probation doesn't change statutory notice requirements. If your contract specifies shorter notice during probation, that's allowed. However, you must receive at least statutory minimum (1 week if employed 2+ years, or no notice if less than 2 years).
Only if your contract explicitly allows PILON. If it doesn't, you have the right to work your notice period. Refusing to allow you to work or pay in lieu is a breach. Claim the full notice period salary.
You have 3 months from termination to file at Employment Tribunal free. After 3 months, you'll need tribunal permission and face a £390 fee. Request payment promptly and file your tribunal claim before the 3-month deadline.
Yes. If you were terminated without valid reason and without proper procedure, you can claim unfair dismissal compensation (up to £86,000+). This is separate from notice pay — you can claim both at tribunal.
Use the contract notice period (whichever is more generous to you). If your contract requires 4 weeks' notice and statute requires 1 week, claim 4 weeks' pay. Employers must comply with their own contracts.
Calculate your entitlement and file a claim at Employment Tribunal. FightingBack provides templates and guidance.
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