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Employment

Manager Training Series · Employment Law

2 mins read 09/06/2026

Probation in the New Era

A practical 90-minute session for managers on how to navigate probation, manage underperformance, and protect your organisation from unfair dismissal claims — before the January 2027 deadline bites.

90 minutes | Max 15 participants per session | Four dates: July – October 2026

 

THE LEGAL CHANGE THE BUSINESS RISK THE SOLUTION
The qualifying period for unfair dismissal reduces to six months from 1 January 2027 — but the clock starts for anyone hired from late June 2026 onwards. Historic practices of delaying probation reviews carry significant new risk. Managers must understand their obligations before this summer’s hires reach the six-month mark. Practical, straight-talking training built around what managers actually need to do — not just what the law says. How, not just what.

 

Session Dates

Four opportunities to get your managers ready

Sessions are available via webinar. Organisations can book staff onto any session. Attendees may request one session transfer – limited flexibility is intentional so that employers avoid the risk of everyone completing training only days before the critical October deadline.

 

2 JULY 2026 6 AUGUST 2026
Thursday · 12:00 PM
90 minutes · Online
Thursday · 10:00 AM
90 minutes · Online
3 SEPTEMBER 2026 8 OCTOBER 2026
Thursday · 12:00 PM
90 minutes · Online
Thursday · 10:00 AM
90 minutes · Online

 

⚠️ Places are limited to 15 per session to keep sessions genuinely interactive with real-time Q&A. Early booking is strongly recommended, particularly for the July and August sessions.

 

Session Programme

What the session covers

This is a straight-talking, practical session built around the decisions managers will have to make and the actions they need to implement. Questions are answered in real time.

  • How to implement performance management that is fair, fast and consistent
  • How to have those hard conversations — tips for what to say (and what not to say)
  • Feedback and follow-up — why documented processes and evidence trails matter
  • Getting to a decision before the six-month line — making a defensible call on probation and the documentation needed to support it if challenged
  • Day-one risks — discrimination and whistleblowing
  • What changes from 1 July 2026 (not 1 January 2027) and why that distinction is important

 

What managers leave with

Confident decisions. Documented processes. Reduced risk.

The focus is “how”, not just “what”. Managers will leave with practical tools they can use immediately.

 

1 A clear understanding of the business risk — and their personal risk as a manager 2 Knowledge of what “good” looks like and how to reach it consistently
3 Confidence in managing underperformance and difficult conversations 4 Action points that are easy to implement from day one
 

Pricing

Book your places

All prices are per attendee and exclude VAT. Group discounts apply – see below.

 

Open Session

Group Offer (5+)

Existing Clients (10+)
£145 +VAT
Per attendee · 90-minute webinar
  • Any available date
  • One session transfer permitted
  • Live Q&A throughout
  • Max 15 participants

 

 
4+1 free
Book 4 attendees, 5th place complimentary
  • Ideal for small management teams
  • Any available date
  • One session transfer per attendee
  • Live Q&A throughout
10+4 free
Book 10, receive 4 complimentary places
  • For existing Magrath Sheldrick clients
  • Any available date(s)
  • One session transfer per attendee
  • Live Q&A throughout

 

 

Private organisation sessions available. A dedicated session for your organisation can be delivered in person or remotely at £2,250 + VAT (plus travel, depending on location). Private sessions can be recorded for internal use. Contact [email protected] to discuss.

 

Your Trainer

 T: +44 (0)20 7317 6719  ·  M: +44 7770 875149  ·  [email protected]

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