Free calculator
Probation review dates planner
Pick a start date and a probation length of 3 to 6 months. The planner lays out suggested review points, the end of probation and where they fall against the date unfair dismissal protection starts.
Sample data: a six-month probation starting 1 February 2027. Type your own.
Probation ends after the last notice day. A decision not to confirm the employee taken at the end of probation would land on or after 31 July 2027, when unfair dismissal protection starts. Plan the final review earlier or accept that the dismissal would need a fair reason and a fair process.
- Mon 1 Feb 2027First day of work
- Wed 31 Mar 2027Formal review 1 (end of month 2)
- Mon 31 May 2027Formal review 2 (end of month 4)
- Fri 16 Jul 2027Suggested latest final review meeting7 days before the last notice day: time to invite the employee, allow a companion and decide.
- Fri 23 Jul 2027Last day to give notice (notice worked)Later notice puts the effective date of termination on or after the protection date.
- Sat 31 Jul 2027Probation ends (6 months)An extension must be confirmed in writing before this day passes (Acas).
- Sat 31 Jul 2027Unfair dismissal protection starts
Review points are a practice suggestion (about a third and two thirds of the way) based on Acas guidance to hold regular formal reviews and a final review. The law sets no probation dates; the protection date and the last notice days come from the Employment Rights Act.
Managing a team? Pro turns the list into a pack.
Excel tracker with live date formulas and colour flags, three probation letter templates and a one-page summary of the 2026-2027 changes.
How it works
There is no legal requirement to have a probation period, and it can be any length. Someone will be protected if they already have at least 6 months' service on 1 January 2027. Ending probation before protection starts does not avoid legal risks, and probations of 6 months or less might not suit every role. Have regular formal reviews during the probation period and a final review to discuss the outcome; keep records and share them with the employee after each meeting.
The planner puts two formal reviews about a third and two thirds of the way through and a final review at the end: a practice suggestion, not a legal requirement. The suggested latest final review is 7 days before the last notice day, to leave time to invite the employee, allow a companion and decide.
A six-month probation now ends on the day protection starts: six months that begin with the start date end on the same day the six-month qualifying period is complete. Because s.97(2) adds the statutory notice week, the last day to give notice falls a week or more before that.
| Probation | Ends | Last notice day | Ends after it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Fri 23 Jul 2027 | No |
| 4 months | Mon 31 May 2027 | Fri 23 Jul 2027 | No |
| 5 months | Wed 30 Jun 2027 | Fri 23 Jul 2027 | No |
| 6 months | Sat 31 Jul 2027 | Fri 23 Jul 2027 | Yes |
Tell the employee about an extension in writing and confirm it before the original probation period ends (failing to do this could be a breach of contract); update the written statement within one month. Agree the length, review points, expectations, the final review date and the possible outcomes. When an employee successfully completes probation, confirm it in writing and give the new terms of employment (an updated written statement or a separate document). Dismissal during probation should be a last resort. Follow a fair procedure, give the reasons in writing and give the correct notice: the statutory minimum or the contractual notice.
Sources
- Probation (Acas): Acas, Probation periods: What probation is (last updated 24 July 2026) — https://www.acas.org.uk/probation-periods, read on 2026-09-30
- Reviews (Acas): Acas, Probation periods: Reviews — https://www.acas.org.uk/probation-periods/reviews, read on 2026-09-30
- Extending probation (Acas): Acas, Probation periods: Extension — https://www.acas.org.uk/probation-periods/extension, read on 2026-09-30
- Passing probation (Acas): Acas, Probation periods: Following a fair process — https://www.acas.org.uk/probation-periods/following-a-fair-process, read on 2026-09-30
- Failing probation (Acas): Acas, Probation periods: Dismissal — https://www.acas.org.uk/probation-periods/dismissal, read on 2026-09-30
- Qualifying period: Employment Rights Act 1996, s.108(1): "not less than two years ending with the effective date of termination" — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/18/section/108; Employment Rights Act 2025, s.25(2)(a): in s.108(1) "for 'two years' substitute 'six months'" — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/36/section/25, read on 2026-09-30
- Statutory notice extension: Employment Rights Act 1996, s.97(2) and (3) — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/18/section/97, read on 2026-09-30
Frequently asked questions
- Is a probation period a legal requirement in the UK?
- No. Acas says there is no legal requirement to have a probation period and it can be any length. The Employment Rights Act 2025 does not change that.
- How often should probation reviews be?
- The law does not say. Acas recommends regular formal reviews during probation, a final review to discuss the outcome and informal check-ins in between, with records shared after each meeting. This planner suggests two formal reviews plus the final one.
- Can I extend a probation period?
- Yes, if the contract or probation policy allows it. Acas: confirm the extension in writing before the original probation period ends, agree the length, review points and expectations, and update the written statement within one month.
- Should probation end before six months?
- Acas notes employers might want probation to end before protection starts, but says this does not avoid legal risks and that six months or less may not suit every role. Dismissal after six months can still be fair with a fair reason and a fair process.
Guides
- Probation periods under the six-month rule
A six-month probation now ends on the day unfair dismissal protection starts. Probation end dates, last notice days and review points for 3 to 6 months.