Employees who start work before 6 April 2012 will continue to be able to claim unfair dismissal after one year’s service, as the new two-year qualifying period will only apply to employees who commence employment on or after 6 April 2012.

It is important to remember that some claims for unfair dismissal do not require a year’s continuous service and certain claims will still be able to be brought from day one of the employment relationship.  Dismissals relating to discrimination, whistle blowing, exercising certain statutory rights, and health & safety-related reasons are not covered by the qualifying period and claims can be brought from the outset of the relationship. This will not change from April.