Business leaders have been warned they are running out of time to prepare for major changes to employment law.
The changes, effective from January 1, 2027, will signficantly adjust unfair dismissal rights, reducing the qualifying period from two years to just six months.
This warning comes from Samantha Owen, a partner at local law firm mfg Solicitors.
She stressed the urgency for businesses and their HR teams to act fast, as they have only weeks left to gear up for these changes.
These updates to the Employment Rights Act will affect over six million additional employees, who will gain protection around unfair dismissal.
Additionally, there will be modifications to compensation caps and trade union rights.
Ms Owen said: "Reducing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection to six months is a huge adjustment, and practically, will need businesses to review their probationary periods, recruitment practices and train their managers on what’s expected of them.
"Even Fixed Term Contracts and Apprenticeship Agreements will be affected."
She emphasised that the change will heighten dismissal risk for businesses, particularly because unfair dismissal protection will now arise after only six months and compensatory awards will no longer be capped.
This could potentially increase employers' exposure to higher-value claims.
Ms Owen added: "Coupled with it being easier for employees to join a trade union, it’s going to be a testing time for businesses, large or small."
She...
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