Unfair dismissal qualifying period extended to two years

Under a recent change in employment legislation, the minimum period of service required before an employee may claim unfair dismissal has been extended from one to two years. This means, in effect, that employers of all domestic staff including housekeepers, nannies, live-in carers, etc  will have more time to assess whether or not an employee is suitable for their job.

Informed opinion is that now, as before, the most effective means of protection against a claim for unfair dismissal for the employer is to have a clear disciplinary procedure in place and to stick to it.