Employment Rights Act 2025
A Guide for Employers
The Employment Rights Act 2025 contains over 28 wide-reaching reforms to employment law in Great Britain which will bring about fundamental change in many areas, including Statutory Sick Pay and Unfair Dismissal rights. It will affect all employers when its provisions come into force.
More information on the Act can be found in our dedicated topic area Employment Rights Act 2025 (exclusive to CIPD HR-inform Pro subscribers) and also Forthcoming legislation.
Employment Rights Act 2025 Download a summary
After more than a year of debate, the Employment Rights Bill became law on 18 December 2025 as the Employment Rights Act 2025. This is the biggest shake-up of employment law in a generation, with over 28 changes rolling out between December 2025 and into 2027. While this phased approach to the reforms gives employers time to prepare, now is the moment to get ahead. Explore what’s changing and what it means for your organisation, including key updates on sickness absence, paternity leave, parental leave, trade union access, and more.
Is Your Business Ready for the Biggest Shift in Employment Law?
The landscape of UK employment law has fundamentally changed. With the Employment Rights Act 2025 now receiving Royal Assent, employers across Great Britain are facing one of the most significant overhauls in workers' rights in decades.
From Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) reforms to changes in Unfair Dismissal rights, the implications for your business are vast. But while the changes are significant, they don't have to be overwhelming - provided you prepare now.
Key Changes You Can't Ignore:
Day-One Family Rights (April 2026):
Qualifying periods for Paternity and Parental Leave are being scrapped. Are your family-friendly policies up to date?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Revolution (April 2026):
The three-day waiting period is gone. SSP will soon be a day-one right, and the Lower Earnings Limit is being removed. This means more staff will be eligible for sick pay from their very first day of absence.
Sexual Harassment Prevention (October 2026):
The duty on employers is toughening. You will soon be legally required to take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment, including from third parties like customers or clients.
Unfair Dismissal (January 2027):
The qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection is being slashed from two years to just six months. This will apply retrospectively, meaning current staff could gain rights overnight.
What Should You Do Now?
Review Your Policies: Your sickness, disciplinary, and family leave policies likely need immediate updates.
Train Your Managers: Do your line managers understand the new "day-one" rights?
Get Expert Support: Trying to navigate this alone is a risk.
How CIPD HR-inform Pro Helps
Don't let compliance keep you up at night.
CIPD HR-inform Pro gives you instant access to the Employment Rights Act 2025 Toolkit, featuring updated policy templates, in-depth legal analysis, and roadmap guides. Plus, our dedicated advice line is always there when you need a second opinion.
The 5-Minute Compliance Health Check
Use this quick guide to see how prepared your organisation is for the upcoming legislative changes.
Sickness Policy: Does your policy still mention a 3-day waiting period for SSP? (Needs updating by April 2026)
Harassment Training: Do you have a documented plan to prevent sexual harassment from third parties (customers/clients)? (Required by October 2026)
Contracts: Do your contracts for new starters mention the right to join a trade union? (New requirement coming October 2026)
Zero-Hours: Do you use zero-hours contracts? Are you ready to offer guaranteed hours based on a 12-week reference period? (Coming 2027)
Probation: Are your probation reviews robust enough to assess staff suitability within 6 months? (Critical for January 2027)
Score: If you answered "No" or "Not Sure" to any of these, you need CIPD HR-inform Pro to ensure you remain on the right side of the law.
Core Employment Rights Act 2025 Updates You Need to Know
The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces significant reforms across various aspects of employment law. Explore these fundamental changes, including new provisions for flexible working, enhanced paternity leave rights, statutory sick pay adjustments, and critical updates regarding unfair dismissal, trade union access, and zero-hours contracts, to ensure your business remains compliant.
New Employment Rights Act 2025
Urgent changes employers need to know for 2026 and beyond
Employment law and HR practice has experienced unprecedented change in recent years, and 2026 and 2027 will be no exception. HR professionals are on the front line as businesses transition into a new era of employment in the UK.
At CIPD HR Inform, we are standing right there with you!
Register now to watch on demand and explore the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025 that just passed into law. This will mark a historic change to employment in the UK and it's important that YOU as HR professionals are equipped with the knowledge and tools to prepare for it. Over 20k HR professionals have already tuned in and asked us for a 2nd opinion!
Prepare for the Employment Rights Act 2025
The Employment Rights Act 2025 ushers in the most significant changes to UK employment law in a generation. Our CIPD HR-inform Pro product service is designed to be your essential guide, providing comprehensive resources, expert advice, and practical tools to ensure your business remains compliant and agile.
WARNING: New Fair Work Agency Powers!
The new Fair Work Agency is set to dramatically change the landscape of employment law enforcement. With unprecedented powers to recover underpayments and initiate tribunal claims on behalf of employees, your business could face significant financial penalties and legal battles if you're not fully compliant.
Are You a Small Business Owner?
You didn't start a business to become an employment lawyer. The Employment Rights Act 2025 adds layers of complexity to hiring and managing staff. CIPD HR-inform Pro acts as your virtual HR department, giving you the contracts, policies, and answers you need, so you can focus on growth
HR Managers are Busy Enough
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is the biggest legislative shift in years. You need more than just news; you need actionable tools. CIPD HR-inform Pro provides the technical breakdowns, the model policies, and the strategic roadmaps to help you guide your leadership team through these changes with confidence.