Is your probation & onboarding process ready for January 2027?
From January 2027, employees will only need six months’ service to bring an unfair dismissal claim – and the compensation cap is being removed. This is a significant shift for employers who rely on probation periods to manage performance or fit early on.
To support you, we’ve created a free, practical checklist – https://tinyurl.com/4xmhvfkb – to help UK employers understand what’s changing and assess whether their current processes are fit for purpose.
It’s particularly relevant for employers hiring from July 2026 onwards, as new starters will already be approaching the six‑month threshold when the law changes.
Managing new starters is changing – and probation periods are now a much bigger legal risk for employers.
Inside the check list, you’ll be prompted to review:
- Whether your probation timelines and contracts clearly reflect your current approach
- How probation reviews, extensions and decisions are handled in practice
- Whether managers are having regular, documented conversations – not just end‑of‑probation reviews
- How well your recruitment and onboarding process sets expectations from day one
- Whether you could evidence a fair, well‑documented decision if a probation dismissal was challenged
Download now: https://tinyurl.com/4xmhvfkb
Citation’s HR and Employment Law experts support thousands of UK businesses to stay compliant, reduce risk and manage people issues with confidence. Call 0345 844 1111 or click here to learn more – and don’t forget to mention ‘London Care & Support Forum’ to access your preferential rates.
Gill McAteer, our Employment Law Director’s, recent article in Care Management Matters on Employment Rights Act: a hiring freeze is not the answer.
Navigating employment law in the care sector is more complex than ever – and a hiring freeze isn’t the answer.
In our Partner @Citation’s latest article for Care Management Matters, Gill McAteer – Employment Law Director, explains what the Employment Rights Act means in practice and how care providers can protect their services while supporting their people.
You can read the full article here:
The Employment Rights Act: a hiring freeze is not the answer