Frettens Banner Image

News & events

Letter of Resignation and Effective Date of Termination

When is the effective date of termination (“EDT”) when an employee unequivocally resigns on one date, with immediate effect, and her employer subsequently informs her that her resignation is to be taken as commencing on a later date? 

The answer, says the Employment Appeals Tribunal (“EAT”) in Horwood v Lincoln County Council, is the former date, i.e. the date that the employee resigns.

The EAT observed that the EDT is not a term of contract law, but a statutory construct. Ms Horwood had provided a clear letter of resignation, and the law does not allow the EDT to be based on uncertainties, such as whether the letter would have been read on the intended date of receipt or not. The employer could not unilaterally alter the EDT so that it became a later date, and thus the EDT was the date of the employee's clear resignation.

For a free initial meeting please call 01202 499255 and Kate or Paul will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.

The content of this article, blog or video is not intended as specific legal advice. For tailored assistance, please contact a member of our team.

home