How to work out your last working day
Quick answer: To work out your last working day, pick your country and who is giving notice, enter the date notice is given, copy the notice length from your contract, add your start date and holiday left and read the three dates.
- Pick your country and who is giving notice. Resigning, or your employer ending your job. The legal minimum differs.
- Enter the date notice is given. Usually notice starts the next day. If your contract says it starts the same day, tick the box.
- Copy the notice length from your contract. In days, weeks or months. Leave it empty to use the legal minimum. If your contract says notice must end on a month end or quarter end, pick that.
- Add your start date and holiday left. The start date gives the legal minimum by service. Choose whether you'll take the holiday during notice or have it paid.
- Read the three dates. The day employment ends, the last working day before it, and the last day you're at work once holiday is taken off the end.
UK statutory notice
After one month in the job you must give at least one week's notice. Your employer must give at least one week after one month, then one week for each complete year from two years, up to 12 weeks after 12 years (Employment Rights Act 1996 s.86). Your contract can give more, and usually does when you resign. If the contract gives less than the minimum, the minimum applies.
When notice starts
If the contract says nothing, Acas and GOV.UK say notice starts the day after you hand it in. A letter counts from when it's received and there's been time to read it. So one week's notice given on a Monday ends the next Monday, and one month given on 6 November ends on 6 December. A month from 31 January ends on 28 February (or 29 in a leap year).
Germany: to the 15th or the end of the month
Under §622 BGB, notice is four weeks, ending on the 15th or the last day of a calendar month. Notice received on 6 November 2026 runs four weeks to 4 December and so ends on 15 December. For your employer the notice grows with service: one month to the end of a month after 2 years, up to seven months after 20 years. In probation (up to six months) it's two weeks to any day. Your contract or a collective agreement may say more.
US: at will
Most US jobs are at will: either side can end the job at any time, and no federal law requires notice. Two weeks is a custom many employers expect. A contract, union agreement or company handbook may set its own rule, and state law decides when the final paycheck is due.
Holiday during your notice
In the UK you're paid for statutory holiday you haven't taken when you leave. You may be able to take it during your notice instead, if your employer agrees, or your employer may ask you to. Taking it means your last day at work comes earlier than your last day of employment. The calculator counts holiday on working days only, skipping weekends and bank holidays.
Frequently asked questions
Does notice start on the day I hand it in?
Usually not. If your contract doesn't say, notice starts the next day (Acas, GOV.UK). In Germany the day notice is received doesn't count either (§187 BGB). If your contract says otherwise, tick "starts on the day it's given".
How much notice do I have to give in the UK?
At least one week once you've worked there for a month, unless your contract says more. Most contracts do: one month is common. Your employer's minimum grows with your service, up to 12 weeks.
Is notice in a month the same as four weeks?
No. A month runs to the same date next month (6 November to 6 December), which is 28 to 31 days. Four weeks is always 28 days.
What if my last day falls on a weekend or bank holiday?
Your employment still ends on that date. The calculator also shows the last working day before it, skipping weekends and the bank holidays of the nation or German state you pick.
Is this legal advice?
No. It applies the rules as written for the common cases. A contract, collective agreement or special situation (redundancy, garden leave, fixed-term contracts) can change the answer. Check with your HR team, Acas, or a lawyer.