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Probation Periods for Employers: Live Q&A | 70 Days to Go
The countdown is on.
From 1 January 2027, employees will qualify for ordinary unfair dismissal protection after six months’ service instead of two years.
That change puts probation processes firmly in the spotlight. Should six months become your standard probation period? Can you extend probation when someone has been absent or you need longer to assess them? What happens if you miss the six-month point? And are your current review processes robust enough for the changes ahead?
With just 70 days to go, join WorkNest’s Employment Law and HR experts for a live, interactive Q&A dedicated to probation periods and the upcoming changes to unfair dismissal rights.
Submit your question when you register and our experts will aim to answer it live during the session.
A webinar shaped by your questions
This isn’t a typical presentation or a technical run-through of the legislation. Your questions will shape the conversation.
Our experts will explore the challenges, concerns, scenarios and grey areas raised, sharing practical guidance to help organisations prepare.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions live on the day.
What could you ask our experts?
Your question could be about:
Whether six months is now the right length for probation – including for senior employees
What happens if a probation period runs beyond the six-month point
When probation can still be extended, including where absence has affected the review period
How notice periods could affect length of service and dismissal decisions
What the changes mean for existing employees moving into new or promoted roles
How often probation reviews and manager check-ins should take place
Managing performance, conduct or absence concerns during probation
The potential risks and costs if a dismissal goes wrong
Or ask us anything else about probation and the upcoming changes.
Why does probation matter now?
Reducing the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal protection from two years to six months gives employers less time to assess a new employee’s performance, conduct, attendance and suitability.
This places greater importance on well-timed reviews, clear documentation and managers addressing concerns promptly. Employers may also need to consider how notice periods, probation extensions and internal role changes could affect their decisions.
This session will help you explore those practical issues with experts who advise employers every day.
Why attend?
With just 70 days to go until 1 January, this is your opportunity to:
Put your probation questions directly to WorkNest’s experts
Explore practical issues around reviews, extensions and dismissals
Hear the questions and concerns other employers are facing
Identify areas of your probation process that may need attention
Pick up practical insights from experienced Employment Law and HR professionals
Who should attend?
This webinar is designed for:
HR managers and directors
People and culture leaders
Business owners and directors
Senior and line managers
In-house legal teams
Anyone responsible for probation, performance or employment law compliance
Got a question about probation? Ask our experts
With the countdown now on, now is the time to make sure your organisation is prepared.
Register now and submit your question in advance.
Can’t attend live? Register anyway, and we’ll send you the on-demand recording after the session.
Our Employment Law service gives you access to a dedicated team that understands your business.
We’ll help you stay compliant as the law changes and support you with day-to-day people management – without the worry of hourly costs.
We’ll act as an extension of your team, giving you:
Unlimited legally compliant advice
Legally compliant contracts and handbooks
Tribunal support should you need it
Fixed, transparent pricing
Having attended a few WorkNest webinars, I am always impressed with the no-nonsense, well-balanced guidance they provide. Their advice gives me confidence to deal with situations that may arise in an appropriate way and the fact that they follow up with answers to all the questions posed during the webinar is an added bonus.
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Having attended a few WorkNest webinars, I am always impressed with the no-nonsense, well-balanced guidance they provide. Their advice gives me confidence to deal with situations that may arise in an appropriate way and the fact that they follow up with answers to all the questions posed during the webinar is an added bonus.
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