Free calculator
Staff list: who gets unfair dismissal rights, and when
Paste your team from a spreadsheet. Each person gets a protection date, a status for today and the last day notice can be given so the effective date of termination falls before protection. The list stays on your computer.
How it works
For each person the tracker takes the start date, the contractual notice and the probation length. Protection starts on the day two years of service are complete if that is before Fri 1 Jan 2027; otherwise on the later of six months complete and Fri 1 Jan 2027. The six-month rule applies where the employee is dismissed before 1 January 2027 but the effective date of termination falls on or after that date, and does not apply where the effective date of termination falls before 1 January 2027.
The last notice day allows for the statutory minimum week that s.97(2) adds to the effective date of termination, so it is one week earlier than people expect when notice is paid in lieu, and the contractual notice earlier when it is worked. The one-employee checker shows the steps for a single person.
| Start date | Two years complete | Six months complete | Protected from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 1 Jan 2025 | Thu 31 Dec 2026 | Mon 30 Jun 2025 | Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| Thu 2 Jan 2025 | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Tue 1 Jul 2025 | Fri 1 Jan 2027 |
| Thu 2 Jul 2026 | Sat 1 Jul 2028 | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Fri 1 Jan 2027 |
| Fri 3 Jul 2026 | Sun 2 Jul 2028 | Sat 2 Jan 2027 | Sat 2 Jan 2027 |
| Thu 1 Oct 2026 | Sat 30 Sep 2028 | Wed 31 Mar 2027 | Wed 31 Mar 2027 |
Rows marked Sample data are a made-up team shown until you save your own list. Your names and dates are kept in this browser only: no account, no upload, nothing sent to analytics. Clearing the list removes them.
Sources of the rules
- Six-month rule starts: The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/559), reg. 3(a): section 25 of the 2025 Act comes into force on 1st January 2027 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/559/made, 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
- Which rule applies: SI 2026/559, reg. 4(1)(a) and (b); "effective date of termination" has the meaning in s.97 of the 1996 Act (reg. 4(2)) — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/559/made, 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
- Probation and 1 January 2027 (Acas): Acas, Probation periods: What probation is (last updated 24 July 2026) — https://www.acas.org.uk/probation-periods, read on 2026-09-30
Frequently asked questions
- Who is protected on 1 January 2027?
- Every employee with at least six months' continuous service on that day: with the counting rule, anyone who started on or before 2 July 2026 (six months that begin with 2 July end with 1 January). Acas: someone will be protected if they already have at least 6 months' service on 1 January 2027.
- What format should the staff list be in?
- One person a line: name or initials, start date, contractual notice in weeks, probation length in months. Paste straight from Excel or Google Sheets; commas, semicolons and tabs all work, and dates can be 01/07/2026 or 2026-07-01.
- Why is the last notice day earlier with pay in lieu than people think?
- Because s.97(2) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 adds the statutory minimum notice (one week) to the effective date of termination for the qualifying period, even when you pay in lieu.
- Does the tracker handle breaks in service or TUPE transfers?
- No. It assumes continuous employment from the start date you type. Breaks, re-hires, TUPE transfers and earlier service with an associated employer can change the date: check them with Acas or a solicitor.
Guides
- Unfair dismissal after 6 months: what changes on 1 January 2027
The qualifying period falls from two years to six months for dismissals with an EDT from 1 January 2027. Who is protected that day, by start date, with sources.