What Garden Leave Means
You were told to stay home during your notice period and you want to know your rights.
Garden leave sounds unusual the first time you hear it, but it describes a fairly ordinary arrangement near the end of employment.
What It Means
It means you are asked to stay away from the workplace during your notice period, while remaining formally employed and continuing to receive your normal pay and benefits.
Employers often use this when a role involves sensitive information, or when a smoother handover happens without the departing employee physically present.
Why It Matters To You
Because you remain employed throughout, your pay, benefits, and contractual status should continue exactly as if you were still working, unless your contract specifically says otherwise.
If any of that stops during this period without explanation, it is worth raising directly, since garden leave is not meant to reduce what you are owed.
What Are You Allowed To Do During It
Check your contract for restrictions, such as limits on starting new work elsewhere, since these terms can vary between employers and roles.
This differs from suspension, which usually relates to an unresolved allegation, rather than simply winding down your time at the company.
If your employment ends unfairly around this period, check your 60-day window on the deadline calculator.
Telling us what your employer told you about this period helps us confirm whether your pay and status are being handled correctly.
Common questions
Am I still paid during garden leave?
Yes, this is the key feature that separates it from dismissal. You remain employed and are still entitled to your normal pay and benefits during this period.
Can I take another job while on garden leave?
Usually not, since you remain formally employed by your existing employer during this time. Check your contract for any specific restrictions that may apply during this period.
Keep reading
Telling us what your employer told you about this period helps us confirm whether your pay and status are being handled correctly.