Unfair dismissal protection after 6 months' service; compensation cap removed
What’s happening
Employees in Great Britain will be able to claim unfair dismissal after 6 months' service instead of 2 years, and the cap on compensatory awards will be removed. The deadline for most employment tribunal claims already doubled to 6 months on October 1, 2026.
What to do
Tighten probation reviews, manager training on performance and conduct processes, and record-keeping before January.
Source
gov.uk. Checked October 19, 2026.