Probation Toolkit

From 1 January 2027, employees can claim unfair dismissal after six months’ service instead of two years, with no cap on compensation. This toolkit helps you run fair probation and make decisions in time.

Includes:

• Probation policy and contract clause (four months plus an optional one-month extension)
• Objectives, one-month check-in, formal review and final review forms
• Seven letters: concerns, passed, extended, invitation to final review, termination, appeal invitation and appeal outcome
• Manager guide with conversation prompts and a pre-dismissal checklist
• Probation tracker (Excel) that calculates review dates and each employee’s latest safe date for notice
• Plain-English guide
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For employers in England, Scotland and Wales. Templates and guidance, not legal advice. Licensed for use within the buying business.