Glossary/Notice period
Labour law
Notice period
Statutory notice is often shorter than what senior contracts actually say. China commonly uses 30 days; director handovers run longer. Germany often uses three to six months to a quarter-end. Poland reaches three months for longer-serving staff. Belgium scales dismissal notice with seniority. Mexico sets no statutory notice, so custom is two to four weeks.
Searches fail when the start date ignores notice. Map availability in the brief, especially around Tet, Chinese New Year, and 13th-month lock-in.
FAQ
Questions we get
- Can we buy out notice?
- Many countries allow pay in lieu where the statute or the contract says so. Some works-council or convenio rules restrict it. Confirm the country hiring guide before you promise a start date.
Related
Other terms
Probation
A limited opening period of the employment contract, with its own pay floor and notice rules, after which ordinary termination rules apply.
Severance
The statutory or contractual payment due when employment ends without a fault dismissal — often a formula of months per year of service, not a negotiation opener.
Indefinite contract
An employment contract with no fixed end date — the default form of employment in most of our markets, as opposed to a lawful fixed-term or contractor invoice.
Reviewed 11 September 2026. Statutory figures follow the country hiring guides. This is a briefing for multinational employers, not legal advice.
Plan an in-country hire