What is the statutory minimum notice period an employer must provide before dismissing an employee?

The statutory minimum notice period that an employer must provide before dismissing an employee is typically aligned with the duration of employment and is intended to give employees reasonable time to prepare for their transition. In many jurisdictions, including various labor laws, the minimum notice period starts at one week for employees who have been with the company for a short time.

This choice reflects standard practices where the minimum notice is often set at one week for employees who have been with the organization for less than two years. As duration of service increases, the required notice may also increase; thus, while two, four, and twelve weeks may apply under certain circumstances, they often pertain to employees who have served longer periods. Therefore, the one-week notice provision serves to protect both the employer's and the employee's interests at the beginning stages of employment.