It's a good idea to check the employment contract as it might say when the notice period starts.
If the employment contract does not say when the notice period starts, your notice period starts the day after:
- you tell your employer you're resigning
- your employer tells you in person that you’re being dismissed or made redundant
If your employer gives you notice in writing, your notice period would start when you've had a reasonable amount of time to read it.
Examples
If the employee is only told in a letter sent by registered post, their notice period might start the day after they have received the letter so they have had time to read it.
If the employee is on holiday and is only told by letter, their notice period might start after they have returned home and had time to read it.