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Fact check: The garden leave in the uk is only 10 days

Checked on June 9, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The statement that garden leave in the UK is only 10 days is definitively incorrect. Multiple sources confirm that garden leave duration is:

  • Variable and based on the employee's contract terms [1]
  • Can range from a few weeks up to 12 months for senior roles [1]
  • Typically does not exceed 6 months in practice, though this is not a legal limit [2]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement omits several crucial pieces of context:

  • Garden leave duration is directly tied to notice periods in employment contracts [1]
  • Courts play an active role in regulating garden leave duration, particularly for longer periods [2]
  • The primary purpose is to protect legitimate business interests during employee transitions [3]
  • The duration is strategically determined based on the company's specific needs [3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears to significantly oversimplify a complex legal and business practice. This oversimplification could benefit:

  • Employers who might want to downplay the actual duration of garden leave when recruiting, as longer periods can be more costly
  • Employees who might use this misinformation to argue against longer garden leave periods
  • Competing businesses who might benefit from shorter garden leave periods that allow them to hire key employees more quickly

The statement ignores that garden leave is actually a negotiated contractual term [1] and a strategic business tool [3], not a standardized period as implied by the original claim.

Want to dive deeper?
What is the typical duration of garden leave in UK employment contracts?
Are there legal limits on how long garden leave can last in the United Kingdom?
How does garden leave differ from notice periods in UK employment law?
What rights do employees have during garden leave periods in the UK?
Can employers extend garden leave beyond the original contract terms in Britain?