Employment Rights Act 2025: Changes to Unfair Dismissal Protection

In our first Business Hub of the year, we explore new unfair dismissal rules, the six-month qualifying period and how businesses can prepare

We are delighted to invite you to the first seminar in our Nockolds Business Hub series for 2026. The seminar will be held on Tuesday 10 February from 12pm - 1pm, where Katie Harris and Helen Burrowes will be discussing: 'Expensive Mistakes to Avoid: 'Employment Rights Act 2025: Changes to Unfair Dismissal Protection '.

The Employment Rights Act, which received royal assent on 18 December 2025, heralds important changes to unfair dismissal protection. This includes a significant change to the qualifying period of employment for a UK employee to gain unfair dismissal protection which will be six months, reduced from the current two years.

The new qualifying period is not expected to take effect until 2027. However, assuming the new six month threshold applies to dismissals on or after 1 January 2027, anyone with a least six months’ service on 1 January 2027 will automatically gain protection from unfair dismissal on that date.

These changes are significant and businesses should use the next year to strengthen recruitment practices, review existing probationary periods, enhance performance management processes and review the practices that apply to the expiry of fixed-term contracts.

Helen Burrowes (Senior HR Consultant) and Katie Harris (Employment Law Associate) will be guiding you through the changes to unfair dismissal protection as well as the steps you can take to best prepare and protect your businesses.

Lunch and refreshments will be available.