The Employment Rights Bill, which be came 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 come into effect from April 2026 and include:
- Statutory Sick Pay:Â More employees will qualify, with no earnings threshold and no three-day waiting period.
- Day-one family leave:Â Employees entitled to Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave from the first day in a new job. Notice can be given from 18 February.
- Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave:Â New right to time off following the death of a child’s mother or primary adopter.
- Collective redundancy protections:Â Increase to the protective award for non-compliance.
- Whistleblowing protections:Â Stronger protections for workers who report sexual harassment.
- Simpler enforcement through the Fair Work Agency:Â A new body to uphold workers’ rights and support businesses with compliance.
- Action plans:Â Employers with 250 or more employees will be encouraged to publish the steps they are taking to reduce their gender pay gap and support employees experiencing menopause.
Changes to unfair dismissal protections will be introduced on 1 January 2027, but may require action now including reviewing employment policies.
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.
Useful resources from Acas
Acas provides employees and employers with free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. They have a range of guidance
on their site which can be accessed via links below:
- Free Employment Rights Act webinar outlining key measures and employer actions.
- Acas training page, covering a range of employment law topics to help prepare businesses for changes.
 See the Government’s Employment Changes web pages for more guidance at business.gov.uk/employment-changes
