Your last working day after resigning depends on your notice period and when you submit your resignation. Typically, you count forward from your resignation date by the required notice length.
How Notice Periods Are Counted
Notice periods are usually measured in weeks or months:
- 1 week notice: Last day is 7 calendar days from resignation
- 2 weeks notice: Last day is 14 calendar days from resignation
- 1 month notice: Last day is one calendar month from resignation
- 3 months notice: Last day is three calendar months from resignation
Use our Notice Period Calculator to find your exact last working day.
When Does the Clock Start?
This varies by contract and jurisdiction:
- UK: Notice typically starts the day after you give notice
- US: Often starts immediately, though terms vary widely
- Some contracts: Specify notice must start on a Monday or the 1st of a month
Always check your employment contract for specific terms.
Month-Based Notice Periods
For "one month" notice, the last day is the same date in the following month. For example:
- Resign on March 15 → Last day is April 15
- Resign on January 31 → Last day is February 28 (or 29 in leap year)
What If Your Last Day Falls on a Weekend?
If the calculated last day is a Saturday or Sunday:
- Some employers use the previous Friday
- Others use the following Monday
- Your contract may specify which applies
Garden Leave and Pay in Lieu
Sometimes employers don't require you to work your notice:
- Garden leave: You remain employed but don't come to work
- Pay in lieu: You leave immediately but receive notice pay
In both cases, your effective last day may differ from your calculated notice end date.
Put what you've learned into practice with our free tool
Open Notice Period Calculator →