Roadmap for the Employment Law Changes
The UK Government has published an 'implementation roadmap' for the Employment Rights Bill, outlining a phased approach to introducing new measures. This phased implementation aims to give employers time to adapt.
Key Implementation Dates:
Immediately upon the Bill becoming law:
Repeal of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023.
Repeal of most of the Trade Union Act 2016.
Enhanced protection against dismissal for taking industrial action.
April 2026:Doubling the maximum protective award for collective redundancies.
Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave become 'day one' rights.
Removal of the lower earnings limit and waiting period for statutory sick pay.
Implementation of enhanced whistleblowing protections.
Launch of the new Fair Work Agency.
Trade union measures, including simplified recognition processes and changes to balloting.
October 2026:
Measures to end 'fire and rehire' practices.
Fairer allocation of tips.
Requirement for employers to take 'all reasonable steps' to prevent sexual harassment.
Additional employer obligations to prevent third-party harassment.
Further trade union measures to protect representatives and workers taking industrial action.
Changes to employment tribunal claim time limits.
2027:
Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers.
Unfair dismissal becomes a 'day one' right.
Provisions to end exploitative zero-hours contracts and improve access to flexible working.
Further consultations are planned from this year into next. The Government will also provide clear guidance before each implementation deadline.
Source: Government press release, Roadmap unveiled to boost rights for half of all UK workers and provide certainty to employers
If you would like support with planning for these upcoming legislation changes, please contact our team on 01342 347063 or email us via hello@starfordlegalhr.com