Unfair dismissal claims usually require an employee to have the necessary period of continuous employment at the effective date of termination. Employees who commenced work before 6 April 2012 must have at least one year’s continuous service to bring a claim for unfair dismissal.
New legislation has now increased the period of continuous employment to 2 years for work commenced on and after 6 April 2012.
What are the effects?
If you are an Employer: The changes in law should be positive news as, post 6 April 2012, a significantly greater time period is required before an employee can claim unfair dismissal.
If you are an Employee: The new legislation may encourage employees to think twice before accepting a new job as their commencement date will be post 6 April 2012; meaning an employee will need to work with the new employer for at least two years before he or she can bring a claim for unfair dismissal.
For more information or discussion employment law issues, please contact Keith Maynard:
Keith Maynard
Direct Dial: 020 7644 7278
Direct Email: kmaynard@jpclaw.co.uk
