Preparing for Unfair Dismissal Reform: How to avoid costly claims

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.