That familiar small-business safety net, “they’re under two years so we can let them go”, is about to shrink dramatically. With the Employment Rights Act changes taking effect on 1 July 2026, unfair dismissal protection moves much closer to day one, and a rushed, undocumented exit in month nine can become the expensive problem you never saw coming.

We walk through what is actually changing, why the new statutory probationary period is designed to keep hiring workable, and the two words you need to remember: lighter touch. Not no touch. I explain the real-world impact for SMEs, from potential tribunal costs and management time to the trust ripple effect in a small team where everyone watches how you handle the hard moments.

Then we get practical. You’ll leave with a calm 48-hour plan: fix your probation clause in your contract and offer letter, audit everyone currently in their first few months, diarise short structured reviews, and start capturing feedback in simple written notes that are boring but bulletproof. We also bust the myths that cause last-minute panic, including the idea you can “notice” your way around statutory rights or beat the deadline with a hasty dismissal.

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If you’re not 100% sure how your HR is really holding up, take our free HR Health Check. It’s short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what’s working — and what needs a bit of love.

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If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.