For Charities that want to avoid being caught out by employment law changes
Your standard 6-month probation period just became a major liability.
Here's how to protect your charity, your time and your reserves before the new rules come in.
✦ Ready-to-Use Probation Meeting Templates: Professionally drafted documents you can copy, paste, and use immediately to protect your charity.
✦ The Milestone Framework: A clear timeline that ensures you communicate openly, track performance fairly, and document progress before it becomes a liability.
✦ Step-by-Step Extension Guidance: Know how to safely give a staff member time to improve, so that you don't accidentally make them a permanent problem you can't undo.
The Reality Check
If you lead a team or run a non-profit, you know how valuable your time is. One wrong hire can mean giving up your weekends and spending more time handling staff issues instead of focusing on your mission.
Maybe you’ve hired a new manager who lets others do all the work, or a team member who doesn’t fit your charity’s values. Handling hiring mistakes can be draining.
Now, a big legal change is making things even harder.
With the new Employment Rights Act, everything is different. Starting January 2027, anyone who has worked for you for more than six months will automatically gain permanent employee rights.
will gain permanent rights.
This will fundamentally shift workplace dynamics by forcing you as an employer to rigorously evaluate performance much earlier while exposing you to costly tribunal claims if proper statutory procedures aren't strictly followed before terminating staff.
If you continue to use a 6-month probationary period, you could run into trouble. If a new hire isn’t working out and you wait until the fifth or sixth month to act, it may be too late. By the time you review their performance and give notice, they might already have reached the 6-month mark, which could expose your charity to costly tribunal claims.
What's inside the Kit?
To make this transition easier, I’ve created a practical, ready-to-use resource: the 3-Month “Safe-Zone” Probation Kit, available in the Verdant Purpose HR Vault.
This is a step-by-step milestone checklist that fits right in with how you already manage your team, made perfectly for UK Charities.
Ready-to-use templates
Professionally written documents you can copy, paste, and start using right away to protect your charity.
The milestone framework
A precise timeline to help you communicate directly, track performance fairly, and document progress well before any legal deadlines.
Complete peace of mind
Stay compliant with the new Employment Rights Act updates without hiring an HR consultant.
"He supports and challenges in equal measure, and he doesn't shy away from the big issues. It made me feel really reassured."
Amanda, Chair, RSPCA East Kent
"He's like fairy liquid - cutting straight through the crap."
Zoe, Chief Executive, StreetVet
"Paul responded quickly and outlined clear, practical steps that gave us confidence in the process from start to finish."
Emily, CEO, RSPCA Cornwall
"Kind, approachable, and unflinching in the face of challenge. He brings calm, capable leadership when it's needed most."
Sarah, Area Manager, RSPCA
Hi, I'm Paul.
As an HR professional who works exclusively with charities, I’ve seen how quickly tribunal risks can drain your charity's resources. You shouldn’t have to risk your budget or peace of mind on old employment contracts.
The tools in the Verdant Purpose HR Vault are based on real-world experience. They’re practical, fair, and ready to use right away.
Get your Safe Zone Kit
Save time, protect your charity's reserves, and make sense of the new employment laws.
Join the Verdant Purpose HR Vault today and get your free copy of the 3-Month Safe Zone Probation Kit delivered straight to your inbox.
Verdant Purpose HR Vault