17/12/2025
The right to claim unfair dismissal from day 1 will apply from 6 months service from 1st January 2027 with immediate effect, meaning anyone employed as of 1st July 2026 will be eligible as of 1st January 2027.
The lords are considering amendments still and it is awaiting royal consent.
What wasn’t in the original employment rights bill was the proposal to lift the cap on compensation. Currently the upper limit of 52 weeks/£118,223 is under proposal. Basic compensation remains unaffected.
Sick pay & Parental pay are still being debated as well as the right to request guaranteed hours if on a zero-hour contract.
Key points:
o Get the hire right 1st time
o Have a good audit trail
o Need 6 month probation periods on contracts and monitor them more robustly
o Performance manage -so no surprises at 6 month point
o Manage expectations
o Train managers to coach/give feedback
o Train managers to performance manage and keep good audit trail
o Make better hire decisions
o Set objectives and goals from day 1
Takes an average of 44 days in the UK to re-recruit so make the right decision the 1st time! It's difficult we know, but if you need any help please contact me or Richard Powell at Green Bee Recruitment.
