As HR professionals, we're often asked whether businesses need to worry about employment law changes that seem a long way off. My answer is, more often than not, the earlier you prepare, the easier the transition will be.
One change that I believe employers should be paying attention to now is the upcoming reform to unfair dismissal rights, due to come into effect from July 2026.
Under the new rules, employees recruited after this date will be able to claim unfair dismissal after six months of employment, rather than the current two-year qualifying period. These changes present an opportunity for businesses to strengthen how they manage and support employees from day one.
In my experience, the organisations that experience the fewest employee relations issues are often those with the clearest processes. Employees understand what is expected of them, managers feel confident having honest conversations, and any concerns are addressed early.
This is why I think probation periods will become increasingly important.
Regular check-ins, clear objectives and constructive feedback help employees understand how they are performing and provide opportunities to address any issues before they become bigger problems.
Good record keeping will also become increasingly important and ensuring key conversations and support are documented appropriately.
For many businesses, particularly SMEs, the biggest challenge may be ensuring line managers feel equipped to handle these conversations confidently and consistently. Investing in management training now can help avoid difficulties further down the line.
The good news is that many employers will already have the foundations in place. In most cases, preparing for these changes is about reviewing existing processes, ensuring they are being followed consistently and making sure managers have the skills and confidence they need.
My advice to employers is to take the opportunity now to review your onboarding and probation procedures and people management practices. Small improvements made today can make a significant difference in the future.
If you'd like to discuss how these changes could affect your business, the team at Nuvo HR would be happy to help.
www.nuvohr.co.uk