Is your business ready for the employment law changes that have begun to take effect?

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is introducing the biggest changes to employment law in England, Wales and Scotland. 

These changes are being introduced gradually across 2026 and 2027 giving employers and employees the time to prepare and understand the new rights.

Changes have begun to take effect from April 2026. These changes are as follows:

• Statutory Sick Pay – earlier entitlement
• Paternity & Paternal Leave including for bereaved partners
• Day 1 family leave
• Collective redundancy protections
• Whistleblowing and sexual harassment protections
• Holiday pay records
• Simpler enforcement through the Fair Work Agency
• Action plans (only for employers with 250+ employees)

There are still more changes yet to take place in October 2026 and January 2027 such as the reintroduction of protection from third-party harassment, further sexual harassment protections, trade union reforms, most tribunal time limits to issue claims will increase from 3 to 6 months, the unfair dismissal qualifying period reducing from 2 years to 6 months, uncapped compensation for unfair dismissal, fire and rehire – limiting scope to reduce pay and change hours, reforms relating to zero-hour contract protections, enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, strengthened trade union legislation and many more reforms on the horizon.

Need Employment Law Advice?

These changes are likely to have a direct impact on your employment policies and the way your business operates. If you would like reassurance that your policies are up to date and legally compliant, or guidance on how the changes affect your current practices, please get in touch with our Employment Team, or make an enquiry here.

Meet the Team

Grant Shackleston
Partner, Dispute Resolution and Head of Employment

Ed McFarlane
Partner Employment

Patricia Redfearn
Chartered Legal Executive and Associate Employment

Karinna Foster
Employment Executive

Ruqaya Malik
Employment Solicitor 

Rizwana Akhtar
Employment Solicitor

Jack Staples
Apprentice Solicitor Dispute Resolution

Emily Hampson
Trainee Paralegal Employment