With changes to employment law firmly on the horizon, employers are increasingly reviewing how they structure probation periods and make hiring decisions.

The anticipated reform to unfair dismissal legislation, expected to reduce the qualifying period from two years to as little as six months by January 2027, is a significant shift. If introduced, this change would shorten the timeframe employers have to assess performance, capability and cultural fit before legal protections apply.

As a result, probation periods are likely to come under renewed scrutiny. Many organisations are already asking:

• Is our probation period long enough?
• Are our performance measures clear and well-documented?
• Are we confident we truly know the people we’re hiring?

This shift places even greater importance on getting recruitment right first time.

How recruitment partners add real value

Working with a specialist recruitment agency isn’t just about filling vacancies — it’s about mitigating risk. At Pure, we support employers by embedding robust recruitment practices that help you genuinely understand your candidates before they join your business.

This includes:

• In-depth, competency based interviews that go beyond the CV
• Thorough exploration of behavioural fit, values and motivation
• Rigorous referencing and background checks if taken on in a temporary capacity
• Honest, transparent insight into strengths, gaps and development areas

By investing time upfront, we help reduce the likelihood of mis-hires, shorten time to productivity and give employers greater confidence during (and beyond) probation.

Looking ahead

As employment protections evolve, organisations that combine clear probation frameworks with strong recruitment processes will be best placed to adapt. Knowing your people, not just their experience, but who they are and how they operate, will be critical.

At Pure, we work in partnership with our clients to ensure hiring decisions are informed, compliant and future focused.

If you’d like to explore how your recruitment approach can support you ahead of legislative change, we’d be happy to talk.