The 6 Month Shift: Hiring Right & Managing Probation in the New Unfair Dismissal Landscape

The rules on unfair dismissal are changing—and the impact on employers is significant. From 1 January 2027, employees will be able to claim unfair dismissal after just 6 months’ service, with wider rights and increased potential compensation. That means probation is no longer a low-risk period—it’s a critical window. In this session, Martin Grady Managing Director, The Thrive Team and Richard Hiron, Employment Lawyer bring together two essential perspectives: • How to get recruitment right from the outset • How to manage probation fairly and defensibly You’ll leave with practical steps to reduce hiring risk, improve early performance management, and avoid costly tribunal claims.