The law says you are entitled to at least 1 week's notice after one month and up to 2 years' service. After that you are entitled to 1 week for every year of service up to 12 years' service. So for 6 years' service you would be entitled to 6 weeks' notice and for 20 years' service you would be entitled to 12 weeks' notice.
These are minimum periods and a contract of employment may give a longer entitlement. A month is a common notice period.
In cases of redundancy, warnings in advance of the formal notice of termination of employment should be given in order to see whether an alternative to redundancy is possible. In cases of dismissal for serious misconduct the employer may decide not to give notice, e.g. carry out a summary dismissal. Even where an employer believes that serious misconduct has occurred, it is still obliged to act fairly and reasonably (e.g. by giving the individual a chance to explain or challenge the allegations) and in accordance with the organisation’s (as well as the ACAS Code on) Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
