How long do I have to decide on a settlement agreement?

Right after "is this fair", the next worry is usually the clock. Here's what's reasonable, and what to do if you're being rushed.

What does ACAS guidance say about settlement agreement decision time?

There's no fixed legal minimum, but ACAS. The government body that publishes guidance on settlement agreements. Recommends employees be given at least 10 calendar days to consider the offer and take independent advice, unless both sides agree otherwise. This isn't a hard legal rule, but it's the benchmark tribunals and solicitors use to judge whether a process was fair. See ACAS's full settlement agreement guidance for the source.

Why is a tight settlement agreement deadline often a pressure tactic?

A genuine offer doesn't usually disappear because you took a reasonable amount of time to understand it. If you're told to sign "today" or "by tomorrow," that's worth pushing back on. Politely asking for more time rarely costs you anything, and a reasonable employer will grant it.

What should you do if you're rushed to sign a settlement agreement?

• Ask, in writing, for the ACAS-recommended 10 calendar days
• Explain you need time to get independent legal advice. Which the law requires anyway before the agreement is valid
• If your employer refuses reasonable time, note this. It can be relevant to how fairly the wider process was handled

Does the settlement agreement decision clock start again if the offer changes?

If your employer changes the terms during negotiation, it's reasonable to expect a fresh period to consider the new offer. You shouldn't be held to a deadline set against an earlier, different version of the agreement.

Feeling rushed right now? Send us your agreement and we'll help you understand it quickly, and if needed, help you ask for the time you're entitled to expect.

Wherever you are in the process, confidential advice on your settlement agreement is here to help.