Does my employer have to pay wages in full during my notice period?

If you are continuing to work during your notice period then you are entitled to the payment of your wages as normal and in accordance with your contract of employment.

This would include entitlements to overtime, shift premiums and other bonuses if they are set out in your contract of employment.

If you have not been dismissed without notice on the grounds of gross misconduct and your employer is paying you in lieu of notice (i.e. instead of notice) rather than requiring you to work your notice, you are entitled to receive your normal contractual rate of pay during this period.

A payment in lieu of notice, however, is unlikely to include overtime payments, shift premiums and other bonuses.

The period of paid notice you are entitled to will be your statutory period of notice or the period of notice set out in your contract, whichever is the longer. If you are on reduced pay because you are absent due to sickness, where the employer gives you statutory notice, you are entitled to full pay during that period.

You can also download these two free publications with further advice:

Dealing with the Downturn TUC/Citizens Advice leaflet in Adobe pdf format.

Facing Redundancy Know Your Rights leaflet from the TUC in Adobe pdf format.