Getting your business ready for employment rights changes.
The Employment Rights Bill, which became law in December 2025, is now the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Changes to employment rights will be phased in, with some already in force or being introduced shortly. Employers should start preparing now.
The first big changes will be coming into effect in April 2026 and include:
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Statutory Sick Pay
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Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave
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Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave
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Collective redundancy protections
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Whistleblowing protections
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Simpler enforcement through Fair Work Agency
The Government has published a dedicated website which provides free guidance and support to help you understand what applies to your business and actions you need to take. Further changes will be introduced gradually throughout 2026 and 2027, giving employers time to prepare and ensuring workers have clear information about their new rights.
Sharing your views
The Government has committed to consulting stakeholders on a number of further measures within the Employment Rights Act.
You have an opportunity to shape how the policies will work in practice.
You can find open consultations here.
What is the Employment Rights Act?
The Employment Rights Act became law in December 2025, and will be applicable to 1.4 million businesses across the UK, benefiting 18 million workers. Policies within the legislation are designed to help more people stay in work, support productivity and boost living standards.
With measures in this legislation coming into effect over the coming months and years in a pragmatic, phased approach, it is important that employers and workers are aware and prepared for how things are changing.
Support and guidance is available to all employers seeking to understand how these changes will impact their business, and to workers who want to learn about their new rights. We want to work closely with stakeholders of all shapes, sizes and sectors – including you.
The updated implementation timeline for the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Act 2025 can be found here.
Talk to an adviser
Are you a business in Berkshire looking for support?
Get in touch with our Business Advisers.