Why 2027 could be a good year to move jobs in PR
You may have seen the headlines about a "Christmas Eve clear-out", with some employers expected to let people go before new unfair dismissal rules come in on 1 January.
No doubt some will. But there's another side to this story that's had far less attention, and for PR and comms people it's the more important one: from January, changing jobs becomes a lot less risky.
What's changing on 1 January 2027?
Two things, under the Employment Rights Act 2025:
The time you need to have worked for an employer before you can claim unfair dismissal drops from two years to six months.
The cap on unfair dismissal compensation is removed.
If you have six months' service on 1 January 2027, you're covered from that day. In practice, that's anyone who started on or before 1 July 2026.
Employers can still dismiss people. They just need a fair reason and a fair process.
Why this makes moving jobs less risky
Until now, starting a new job meant going back to square one. You'd need two years' service before you had full protection against unfair dismissal, and that put plenty of people off moving.
From January, that wait drops to six months. You still won't have unfair dismissal protection for your first six months, but that gap is now a quarter of what it was.
If you've been holding back on a move, whether that's stepping up to Account Director, switching from agency to in-house, or moving to a different sector, the risk of making the jump is now much smaller.
What if it's happened to you?
If you've been let go recently, or you're worried it might happen, it's worth getting proper advice. ACAS is a good place to start, and an employment lawyer can look at your own situation.
And if you're looking for your next role, get in touch. A difficult end to a job says nothing about what you can do next.
Will agencies stop hiring?
I don't expect so. Of the agencies and in-house teams I've spoken to this autumn, some are still hiring now, and others are waiting on budgets to confirm roles for the new year. It's not a market that's shutting down.
PR agencies run on their people. Retained clients still need servicing, new business still needs pitching, and January is when budgets reset and hiring picks up. Cutting people before Christmas leaves account teams short just when clients are setting their plans for the year, and replacing them later costs far more than it saves. PR is also a small world, and candidates remember how agencies treat their teams.
What's more likely is that agencies take more care over who they hire and make better use of probation periods. For candidates, that means clearer objectives and more structured reviews in your first six months, which isn't a bad thing either.
What agencies should do now
Use probation properly. Make sure reviews happen and are written down.
Be clear from day one. Clear job descriptions, objectives and regular check-ins protect both sides.
Take time over hiring. A rushed hire is now a bigger risk, so it's worth getting it right first time.
Get advice on specific cases. Speak to an employment lawyer if you're unsure.
FAQs
When do the new unfair dismissal rules start?
1 January 2027.
How long do I need to work somewhere before I'm protected?
Six months, down from two years.
If I started my job in July 2026, am I covered?
If you have six months' continuous service on 1 January 2027, you're covered from that date.
Is there still a cap on unfair dismissal compensation?
No. The cap is removed for dismissals from 1 January 2027.
Is it risky to change jobs in PR in 2027?
Less than before. You'll be protected against unfair dismissal after six months in a new role, rather than two years.
Will PR agencies hire less because of the new rules?
Some employers may be more cautious, but agencies still need people to deliver client work. Expect more care over hiring and probation rather than a hiring freeze.
Thinking about your next move, or your next hire?
PR and comms recruitment is all we do at PR CROWD. Take a look at the roles we're working on now, or if you're building your team, drop me a message.
This article is for general information and isn't legal advice.