Zimbabwe Labour Market Intelligence
Notice periods rise with length of service
Termination. Section 12(4)
Prepared 20 October 2026
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Maximising Returns on Human Capital
Notice periods rise with length of service
Termination. Section 12(4)
In plain words
How much notice must be given depends on how long the person has worked: three months for two years or more, two months for one to two years, one month for six to twelve months, two weeks for three to six months, and one day for less than three months or for casual and seasonal work.
Either party may give the notice. An employer may pay cash in lieu of notice instead of requiring the employee to work it. A contract may provide for longer notice than the statutory minimum but not shorter. Notice is a separate question from whether the reason for termination is lawful.
Applies to: All employees covered by the Labour Act
Chishona
Nguva yekuzivisa kupera kwebasa inowedzera nenguva yawashanda: mwedzi mitatu kana wapfuura makore maviri, mwedzi miviri pagore kusvika maviri, mwedzi mumwe pamwedzi mitanhatu kusvika gumi nemiviri.
IsiNdebele
Isikhathi sokwazisa ngokuphela komsebenzi siyakhula ngokuya ngesikhathi osusebenze ngaso: izinyanga ezintathu nxa sedlule iminyaka emibili, izinyanga ezimbili emnyakeni owodwa kusiya kwemibili.
Where this comes from and when it applies
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] |
| Kind | Principal Act |
| Chapter | 28:01 |
| Provision | Section 12(4) |
| In force from | 1985-12-31 |
| In force to | Still in force |
| Recorded on this platform | 2026-08-20 |
| Supersedes | — |
| Official source | https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/employment-2025/zimbabwe |
| Review status | Outstanding |
As at 20 Oct 2026, 09:20. Method version 2026.07.1.