Castle to host free Employer Update for Yorkshire businesses ahead of Employment Rights Act changes
Yorkshire businesses are being encouraged to prepare early for major employment law changes that could affect how they recruit, manage and retain staff from 2026 onwards.
Castle HR & Training Solutions and Castle Employment Solutions are hosting a free face-to-face Employer Update on 25 June to help employers understand the upcoming Employment Rights Act changes and what they may mean in practice.
One of the most significant changes for employers will be the reduction in the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection. From 1 January 2027, employees will be able to claim unfair dismissal after six months’ service, reduced from the current two-year qualifying period.
This means that anyone recruited from July 2026 onwards could be covered by the new rules when they come into effect. For employers planning to recruit, restructure, review probation periods or grow their teams over the summer and into the second half of the year, preparation will be key.
The free event, titled Going for Growth: Risk, Reforms and Recruitment, is designed for business owners, senior leaders, managers and employers who want practical guidance without unnecessary jargon. The session will focus on what is changing, why it matters, and the steps employers can start taking now to reduce risk across recruitment, onboarding, probation, performance management and wider people processes.
Kelly Allen, Head of HR at Castle HR & Training Solutions, will deliver the employment law and HR update, providing clear guidance on how employers can prepare for the new requirements and review their current practices.
Kerry Hope, Managing Director of Castle Employment Group, will share practical advice on recruitment best practice in the new landscape, including how employers can make confident hiring decisions while managing risk from the start of the employment relationship.
The session will be interactive and will include a Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and consider how the changes may apply within their own business.
Kerry said:
“Employment law is changing, and the reduction in the unfair dismissal qualifying period is one of the biggest reforms employers need to understand. Although January 2027 may sound some way off, the impact could be felt much sooner for businesses hiring from summer 2026 onwards.
“This event is designed to give Yorkshire employers practical, straightforward guidance so they can make informed decisions, strengthen their processes and prepare with confidence.”
Castle HR & Training Solutions works with SMEs across Yorkshire, providing outsourced HR support, operational guidance, training and consultancy. The team supports businesses across a range of sectors, including engineering, manufacturing and construction, helping employers stay compliant while building strong and effective teams.
The Employer Update is free to attend for Yorkshire businesses and will take place on 25 June.
Businesses can book their place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/going-for-growth-risk-reforms-recruitment-tickets-1989833985014
Employers can also download Castle HR & Training Solutions’ free Employment Rights Roadmap to stay up to date with the upcoming changes:
https://www.castlehr.co.uk/useful-downloads
Castle HR & Training Solutions and Castle Employment Solutions would love to welcome local businesses to the event and support employers in preparing for the changes ahead.