Law change would give workers four-week notice period after probation

Wednesday 13 March 2024

The law allowing employers to terminate a staff member’s contract with as little as one week’s notice could be changed if a backbencher’s proposition is adopted.

Deputy Max Andrews is seeking to change the 2003 Employment Law, which currently stipulates that a minimum of a week's notice must be given to employees with less than two years' service, plus an additional week for each full year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.

The changes put forward by the St Helier North representative would mean employers having to give a minimum of four weeks' notice to any staff member who had completed their probation period, with this notice increasing to eight weeks after four years' service and further to 12 weeks after eight years' service.

In the report accompanying his proposition, Deputy Andrews said: "I believe the current notice periods are too short in most cases as people will reasonably make financial decisions and commitments based on a regular salary, and losing employment with just a week’s notice may lead to individuals having to deplete savings, sell assets, or borrow money to meet personal debt obligations and living expenses.”

The proposition will not change the current minimum notice which workers must give an employer of their intention to quit their jobs: one week's notice for up to 26 weeks' service; two weeks for a tenure of up to five years; and four weeks for those in their role for more than five years.

States Members are set to debate the proposition on 16 April.