Notice period guide
Legal notice period business days
Legal notice period business days are often used in contracts so notice is counted on working days, not the full calendar. This page explains why, what to confirm in your agreement, and one cautious example using a business day calculator to exclude weekends and holidays. It is educational only and not legal advice.
Published: December 28, 2025 · Updated: December 28, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only; not legal advice.
- Examples are illustrative and simplified.
- Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
- See the Privacy Policy; do not share contracts or personal details.
Quick answer: legal notice period business days
- “Business days” in a contract usually excludes weekends and sometimes public holidays.
- Notice periods often depend on when notice is deemed received.
- Always follow the exact wording in your agreement.
Why contracts use business days
Business days can make notice timelines more predictable for working hours, avoid weekend delivery gaps, and align with office processing times. The specific rule depends on the contract, so treat this as general context only.
The 5 details you must confirm
- What counts as a business day (weekend pattern).
- Whether public holidays are excluded, and which calendar applies.
- When the clock starts (sent vs received, and any cutoff times).
- Whether the start day is counted (inclusive vs exclusive).
- What happens if the end date lands on a non working day (adjustment rule).
Worked example (illustrative only)
Example: “Give 10 business days’ notice”
Inputs: notice received on a Tuesday, weekend Sat–Sun.
Variant 1 (holidays off): add 10 business days → unadjusted end date lands on a Monday (illustrative).
Variant 2 (holidays on with one holiday): end date moves by one business day to Tuesday (illustrative).
If the unadjusted end date lands on a weekend, use the contract’s adjustment rule (for example, move to next business day).
Common pitfalls
- Misreading “days” vs “business days”.
- Assuming the same holiday calendar applies everywhere.
- Not accounting for notice receipt rules.
- Off-by-one errors from counting the start day incorrectly.
- Ignoring final day adjustment wording.
- Forgetting time zones for email notice receipt.
- Using the wrong holiday year.
- Skipping documented assumptions when sharing dates.
How to model your scenario in the tool
- Enter the effective start date (when notice is received per your terms).
- Add business days equal to the notice length.
- Set weekend pattern and holiday preset.
- Decide final day adjustment and inclusive counting.
FAQ
What is a legal notice period in business days?
It is a notice period measured in working days. What counts as a business day depends on the contract.
Do holidays count in a business day notice period?
Only if your agreement includes them. Many notice clauses exclude public holidays.
When does the notice period start?
Contracts may start the clock when notice is sent, delivered, or deemed received after a cutoff time. Follow your wording.
What if the end date is on a weekend?
Use the contract’s adjustment rule, such as moving to the next business day.
Should I count the day notice is received?
Only if the clause is inclusive. If exclusive, start from the next business day.
Can email time zones change the calculation?
Yes. Time zone and cutoff rules can change when notice is deemed received.
Can I use the calculator for contracts?
You can model dates, but always verify against your contract and seek professional advice if needed.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is educational guidance. Confirm with your contract and a qualified professional.
Final CTA and verification reminder
Verify your contract wording and applicable rules.