We have recently employed someone who is subject to a 6 month probationary period. Can we wait until their probationary period of 6 months has elapsed before auto-enrolling them in our pension scheme?

Employers can postpone auto-enrolment for a period of up to 3 months to delay the enrolment of a new probationary employee. The maximum deferment is 3 months, and so it will not cover the whole of any extended probationary period. A new employee must, therefore, be auto-enrolled after the deferred period, even if their probationary period isn’t yet complete.

When does the 3-month period commence? The postponement is deemed to run from the date upon which the employee becomes eligible for auto-enrolment - which for most will be the date upon which they commence work. New employees must, however, be supplied with certain information about the postponement of their rights, including the fact