Posted on 25 January 2012
Qualifying period in unfair dismissal claims rises to two years
Posted in Legal news
The government has confirmed that the qualifying period of service before an employee is able to bring an unfair dismissal claim against their employer is to rise from one to two years.
The change will come into effect on 6 April this year and will only apply to those who start a new job on or after that date. Those who started their current employment before 6 April 2012 will still have a one-year qualifying period.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) says that the policy is intended to encourage recruitment, which is why it does not intend it to apply to those who are already in work, and will also give more time for the parties to try and resolve their differences and therefore ease the burden on the employment tribunal process.