Free event
Probation Periods | preparing for six-month unfair dismissal protection
Probation periods are often misunderstood – and that’s where many employers get caught out.
Used properly, probation isn’t a tick-box exercise. It’s your defined window to test performance, address concerns early, and make confident decisions before full employment rights take effect.
This window is about to shrink. With the unfair dismissal qualifying period reducing to six months, the margin for error will be far smaller, and the risk of getting it wrong far greater.
Join us at our free in-person event in London to make sure your probation processes are strong, compliant, and ready before the law changes.
20 May 10.00 am - 12.00 pm
Apex City of London, 1 Seething Lane, London EC3N 4AX
The goverment’s plans to reduce the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to six months will make probation periods even more important. Employers will have a much narrower window to assess performance, address conduct issues and make informed decisions before unfair dismissal protection applies. Miss that window and any later dismissal could carry significantly greater legal and financial risk.
While the change will not take effect until 1 January 2027, employees joining from July 2026 will reach six months under the new rules. In practical terms, that means the countdown starts much sooner than many employers realise. Now is the time to get your house in order. Reviewing contracts, processes, and manager capability takes time, and delay can be costly.
In this free in-person 2 hour session, our Employment Law Advisor, Patrick Carroll-Fog will explain what’s changing, why it’s important and the practical steps you can take now to strengthen your probation processes and protect your business before the law changes.
What's on the agenda
- Unfair dismissal rules: Gain of clear understanding of what is changing and when.
- Probation periods: Learn what the six-month qualifying period means for businesses, how to handle dismissals confidently and why recruitment matters more than ever now.
- What employers need to do now: Get practical and valuable guidance on why you need to act now, how to embed these changes confidently, and protect your business from costly mistakes and potential tribunals.
Got a question?
This is arguably the most significant change in the Employment Rights Act and one that will affect almost every employer, and we know these challenges raise a lot of questions for employers, which is why we’ll wrap up with a Q&A. Put your questions to our expert hosts and get clear, concise advice that you can apply in your business.
By attending this event, delegates will:
- Gain a clear understanding what is changing, when the changes will apply, and why this change to probation periods is so important.
- Learn how to manage this change effectively and confidently before the law changes.
- Gain valuable and actionable advice on how to implement these changes to reduce risk and stay compliant.
This practical briefing is suitable for business owners, MDs and senior decision makers within any UK–based organisation, keen to learn how to navigate the change to probation periods. This is your opportunity to ask our legal experts any pertinent questions you may have about how to protect your business.
No, this is a free, informal event. Refreshments are included.
Register for free session
Employment Rights Act | understanding employers legal obligations
Major changes to UK employment law are coming – will your business be ready?
Most businesses don’t fully understand the key employment law reforms set to be introduced from April. To keep you informed we are running a series of free in-person events – spaces are limited so book yours now.