Employment Rights Act 2025: What Employers Need to Know

The Employment Rights Act 2025 brings a significant change for employers. From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal will reduce from two years to six months.

This means employers will need to take greater care when recruiting, managing performance and making decisions about an employee’s future.

Probation periods will become even more important, with regular reviews, clear expectations and early intervention where concerns arise. Managers should also ensure that performance or conduct issues are properly documented and handled consistently.

For employers, the key message is simple: recruit carefully, manage effectively and keep appropriate records.

With employment legislation continuing to evolve, having the right HR expertise in place is more important than ever.

At Dickson O’Brien Associates, we specialise in HR and Finance recruitment, helping businesses find the right people to support their organisation and navigate a changing employment landscape.