Dismissal has never been risk-free, but from mid-2026, employers will have far less room for error. 

From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal will shrink from two years to just six months. However, in practice, employees will gain protection far sooner than many expect. 

New hires who start from 1 July 2026 will reach six months’ service by the time the law changes, meaning decisions from that point onwards will need to stand up to scrutiny. Relying on probation periods, 'easy exits', or informal approaches will no longer be enough – without a fair reason and a fair process, claims are far more likely to follow. 

Don’t get caught out. Join our Employment Law and HR experts for free, practical guidance on getting dismissal right from the outset. 

When it comes to employee dismissals, are you relying too heavily on probation to manage risk? Do your managers understand what a ‘fair process’ actually requires? And could you justify a dismissal under increased scrutiny in 2026/27?  

With significant reforms just over six months away – and their practical impact starting now – understanding how to handle employee dismissals correctly has never been more important. 

Join Senior Employment Law Adviser Patrick Carroll-Fogg and HR Consultant Emma Jackson for a timely 60-minute webinar, designed to help you handle dismissals confidently so you can avoid costly mistakes as the law evolves. 

What's on the agenda:

• Recap of what’s changing: Get a brief overview of the upcoming reforms and what they mean for dismissal risk from 2026 onwards. 

• Getting probation right: Understand why probation periods are more than an ‘early exit’ opportunity, how to use them effectively, and how they may need to evolve in light of new unfair dismissal rules. 

• Five fair reasons to dismiss – and how: Learn why it’s critical to define the reason for dismissal clearly – beyond just conduct and capability. Plus, understand the correct process to follow in each case,  with practical examples. 

• Where employers get caught out: Discover common pitfalls and hidden risks, including day one claims such as discrimination and whistleblowing, and procedural missteps that can leave your business exposed.  

Remember, dismissal isn’t just about misconduct. If you’re dismissing staff for any reason – whether it’s behaviour, performance, redundancy or something else – various protections and principles apply. 

Who should attend?

This session is aimed at HR professionals, senior leaders, and managers responsible for handling people matters, including performance, conduct, and dismissal decisions. 

Why should you attend?

• Future-proof your approach to dismissal ahead of the 2027 changes  

• Reduce the likelihood of costly Tribunal claims by handling dismissals correctly  

• Act decisively when issues arise – without delay or second-guessing 

• Handle complex situations with a clear and consistent approach  

• Save time and management resource by getting the process right first time 

Got a question?

Whether you’re dealing with an issue now or just planning ahead, we’ll close the session with a live Q&A, giving you the opportunity to put your questions to our experts and get clear, practical advice. 

Submit your questions when registering – we’ll aim to address as many as possible. 

Can't join us live?

No problem. Register anyway and we’ll send you the on-demand recording, along with practical resources to help you manage employee dismissals more confidently in the new legal landscape. 

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