How to calculate the notice period
The notice period is the lead time that must precede the end of an employment contract, whether given by the employee or the employer. Labour laws in each country set the period, and it can vary with the length of service or the payment method. This guide explains the rules used by the calculator.
Why does it differ between countries?
Each country sets its own notice rules. Some fix a single period, while others link it to the length of service. The values used by the calculator: Jordan: 30 days for indefinite-term contracts. Saudi Arabia: 30 days for a monthly-paid worker when the notice is given by the worker, and 60 days when given by the employer (after the February 2025 amendments). UAE: 30 to 90 days as agreed, with a minimum of 30 days. Kuwait: 3 months for monthly-paid workers, and 1 month for others. Qatar: 1 month for service of up to two years, and 2 months beyond that (indefinite contracts). Bahrain: at least 30 days in writing. Oman: 30 days for a monthly-paid worker and 15 for others, and at least 3 months for economic-cause termination.
The role of service length
Some countries tie the period to the length of service, such as Qatar, where it doubles after two years of service. The calculator supports these cases with bands by years of service and selects the right band automatically from each country’s stored rules.
Who serves the notice?
The same period does not always apply to both parties. In Saudi Arabia, for example, the law gives 60 days when the notice comes from the employer and 30 when it comes from the worker. The calculator shows the base period stored in the law; check the direction-specific details in the statutory texts.
Payment in lieu of notice
Most countries allow replacing the notice with a payment equal to the wage for the period instead of continuing work, such as Oman, where a compensation equal to the notice-period wage on the last gross wage is paid. Review the contract terms and the country’s law.
Key takeaways
- The notice period differs between countries and can vary with service length and pay method.
- Qatar links the period to service length (1 month up to two years, 2 months after).
- Employer-side notice can be longer than worker-side notice in some countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia).
- Most countries allow a cash payment in lieu of the notice period.
Frequently asked questions
Can the parties agree a longer notice period?
Yes, most laws allow agreeing a period longer than the minimum, as long as it is not below it, and some void any agreement that reduces the statutory minimum.
What does payment in lieu of notice mean?
It is a cash payment equal to the full wage for the notice period, ending the contract immediately without waiting out the period, usually based on the last wage.
Does fixed-term employment use a different notice?
Yes, some laws (such as Qatar) set a separate scale for fixed-term contracts. The calculator shows the indefinite-contract rule; always check the contract itself.
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