Businesses are being encouraged to take a fresh look at how they manage new employees ahead of upcoming changes to unfair dismissal rules coming into effect next year.
From July 2026, employees recruited after that date will be able to claim unfair dismissal after six months of employment, rather than the current two-year qualifying period.
Specialists at Nuvo HR say the changes are likely to place greater importance on communication and consistent management during the early stages of employment.
Alison Paton, Managing Director at Nuvo HR, said many businesses already have good practices in place, but now is a sensible time to review processes and make sure managers feel confident handling probation periods and performance conversations.
“For a lot of employers, this will simply be about tightening up processes they already have,” she said. “Good onboarding, regular check-ins and clear communication have always been important, these changes just place a bit more focus on getting those foundations right from the beginning.”
Nuvo HR says probation periods are likely to become more meaningful, with businesses encouraged to hold regular review meetings, keep written records of discussions, and address any concerns early rather than leaving issues unresolved. The firm is also advising employers to review contracts, probation policies and performance procedures ahead of the changes.
“Most businesses want to do the right thing by their employees, and these changes are really about encouraging fair and consistent management practices,” Alison added. “Managers don’t need to become legal experts overnight, but they do need to feel comfortable having honest conversations and setting expectations clearly.”
Nuvo HR believes smaller businesses in particular may benefit from additional support or training for line managers, especially around probation management and handling sensitive conversations. The company says the key for employers is to start preparing early, rather than rushing to make changes closer to the deadline.
“This gives businesses a good opportunity to review how they bring people into the organisation and how they support them during those first few months,” Alison said. “In many cases, small improvements to communication and processes can make a big difference.”
