How much notice must you get when made redundant?
It depends on how long you have worked there — and the gap is sixfold. An employer must give notice of termination: under one year of service, at least 15 calendar days; one to five years — 30 days; five to ten years — 60 days; and ten years or more — 90 calendar days. The period starts on the day after the notice is received, and its last day is the date the contract ends. Redundancy adds compensation on top: the employer pays one average month's wage. And where the employer fails to observe the notice period, it must pay compensation for the notice not given — that is not optional.
📋 The rules
- Under 1 year: 15 calendar days
- 1–5 years: 30 days
- 5–10 years: 60 days
- Over 10 years: 90 days
- Redundancy pay: 1 average month
🔓 Exceptions
- No redundancy compensation is due if the employer offers suitable new work
- That work must begin no later than 30 days after the redundancy notice
- Notice not given must be compensated to the employee in cash
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The notice period is not a courtesy — it is money. Where an employer fails to observe the required period, it must pay compensation for the notice it did not give, matching that time. In practice: someone with ten years of service has 90 days — three months of pay — and an employer who sends you home “immediately” has to pay it out. Redundancy compensation is a separate sum: one average month's wage, which comes on top of the notice. But it need not be paid where the employer offers you new work matching your qualifications that begins no later than 30 days after the redundancy notice — and it is the terms of that offer that generate most of the disputes. A dispute can go to the labour dispute committee, free of charge for the employee.
📎 Official sources
- Riigi Teataja · Employment Contracts Act →
- Tööelu portal · Ending employment →
- Labour Inspectorate · Legal help →
❓ Frequently asked
How long is the notice period?
It depends on length of service: 15 calendar days under one year, 30 days from one to five years, 60 days from five to ten years, and 90 calendar days after ten years or more.
When does the period start?
The notice period begins on the day after the termination notice is received, and its last day is the date the employment contract ends. That is why the date of receipt matters so much.
How much is redundancy compensation?
On redundancy the employer pays compensation equal to one average month's wage. It comes on top of the notice period rather than replacing it, so these are two separate amounts.
When is no compensation due?
Where the employer offers the employee new work matching their qualifications, beginning no later than 30 days after the redundancy notice is given. The terms of that offer generate most disputes.
What if no notice is given?
Where the employer does not observe the notice period, it must pay the employee compensation for the time not given. That is a statutory obligation rather than an optional courtesy.
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