Webcasts /Probation & dismissal rules: 2026 changes you can’t ignore
Probation & dismissal rules: 2026 changes you can’t ignore
Arguably the most contentious aspect of the Employment Rights Act 2025 are the imminent changes to unfair dismissal claims.
On 1 January 2027, the qualifying period for employees to make an unfair dismissal claim is being reduced from two years’ service to just six months, meaning 6.3 million people gain the right to claim unfair dismissal.
And because the law applies retrospectively, those recruit on the 1 July 2026 will be the first to benefit from having to wait only six months.
With so much to unpack, our employment law experts explained everything you need to know, such as:
- Why you must review and refresh your probation periods
- The risk of unlimited compensation claims
- Understanding the implications of the law’s retrospective application
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