Disappointment for business on changes to unfair dismissal period
Businesses hoping that Government changes to employment legislation would make it easier to dismiss underperforming workers will be disappointed by an announcement that the unfair dismissal qualifying period will increase to two years only for new joiners, according to a leading Shropshire employment lawyer.
On 6 April 2012 the qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase from one to two years. When the government announced this change it gave no indication how it would affect existing employees, who may already have qualified for unfair dismissal rights.
Alasdair Hobbs, Partner in the Employment Department of Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, says: “The announcement by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to an employment legislation website that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the new two-year qualifying period will only apply to employees whose employment begins on or after 6 April 2012 will be a blow to many businesses, as those who are already in employment before that date will retain the current one-year qualifying period.
“However for businesses looking to take on new staff, it should be more welcome, as it gives them longer to assess a new employee’s performance.
“This announcement clears up one area of uncertainty for employers with more changes to employment law planned for 2012 than in many previous years. However, there are many details still to come and employers need to remain alert for those and the impact on their businesses,” warns Mr Hobbs.
FBC Manby Bowdler produces a series of newsletters and seminars for employers updating them on the latest employment regulations. The next in the series are scheduled for March. Further information is available via the firm’s website - www.fbcmb.co.uk
