Length of Service to bring an unfair dismissal claim

Since April 2012, an employee must have two years' continuous employment with the same employer to qualify for unfair dismissal protection.

Before April 2012, the period required to claim unfair dismissal was one year's continuous employment with the same employer.

The relevant legislation for this change is "The Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order 2012", please see the external link below for the actual legislation.
 
It is important to note that the legislation also changed the requirement from one year to two years for employers to provide (on request by the employee) written reasons for the dismissal.
 
Continuous employment carries on during sick leave, holidays and maternity leave.
 
External links: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2012/9780111519974/contents
 

Exceptions for Unfair Dismissal - Length of service not required

Employment Law