Under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 25), the unfair dismissal regime will be changing significantly - with reforms ranging from an extended time limit to bring employment tribunals to qualifying service and unfair dismissal. These are going to have a major impact on employers and HR processes.

Background

Probation periods are a commonly used mechanism to assess the suitability of new hires. During this time, employers evaluate the employee’s skills, performance, and compatibility with the organisation.

Typically, probation periods range from three to six months, but the exact duration and terms are governed by the employment contract.