Skip to main content
Employment Rights Act hub

Employment Rights Act hub

Stay ahead of the Employment Rights Act 2025. Access the latest guidance, key implementation dates and practical steps to help your business remain compliant and reduce employment risk.

The Employment Rights Act represents the most significant overhaul of employment law in a generation. While some changes are already in force, many more are expected to be introduced over the coming months and into 2027.

Employers should be reviewing contracts, policies, management processes and workforce planning now to ensure they are prepared. This hub brings together the latest updates, practical guidance and resources from TWM's Employment Law team to help your business stay compliant and reduce risk.

What does this mean for smaller employers?

Many smaller businesses do not have dedicated HR teams or in-house employment lawyers. As changes are introduced, employers may need to review contracts, policies and management procedures to ensure they remain compliant.

Even straightforward day-to-day issues such as managing absence, handling probation periods, responding to flexible working requests or carrying out redundancies may require a different approach under the new rules. Early preparation can help reduce compliance risks, avoid costly disputes and give managers greater confidence when making employment decisions.

If you're unsure where to start, our Employment Law team can help identify the areas of your business most likely to be affected and prioritise the steps needed to prepare.

Key Contact

Related insights

  • 03 September 2026

Unfair dismissal compensation cap to be removed: what employers need to do before January 2027

Read more
  • 25 March 2026

Employment Rights Act 2025: key changes employers need to prepare for this April

Read more
  • 26 February 2026

Employment Rights Act: trade union reforms and what employers need to know

Read more
  • 14 October 2025

Employment Rights Bill: what employers need to know

Read more

Prepare your business for the Employment Rights Act

Our Employment Law team can help you with policy reviews, manager training, workforce restructuring and employment law compliance. Speak to us about the practical steps your organisation should be taking now.

Contact the team

Timeline

December 2025

Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent

The Employment Rights Act received Royal Assent and minimum service level rules were repealed. The reforms will be introduced in phases, with further changes expected over the following months.

18 February 2026

Trade Union reforms take effect

Early trade union and industrial action reforms came into force, including simplified notification requirements and stronger protections against dismissal for employees taking industrial action.

6 April 2026

Day-One Rights and SSP reforms introduced

New employment rights took effect, including day-one paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, Statutory Sick Pay reforms, enhanced whistleblowing protections and higher collective redundancy protective awards.

25 August 2026

Electronic and workplace trade union balloting introduced

Electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots took effect, changing how statutory trade union ballots can be conducted.

1 October 2026

Employment Tribunal time limits extended

The time limit for bringing Employment Tribunal claims is expected to increase from three months to six months, giving employees more time to pursue claims.

30 October 2026

Further harassment and trade union reforms

Further workplace harassment obligations are expected to come into force, strengthening employer responsibilities and employee protections. Further trade union reforms will also come into force, including changes to trade union access to workplaces.

End of 2026

Additional worker protection measures

Further sector-specific employment protections are expected, including strengthened tipping legislation and other worker safeguard measures where relevant.

1 January 2027

Unfair dismissal, fire and rehire and trade union reforms

The qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal claims will reduce from two years to six months, with compensatory awards no longer capped. New protections against fire and rehire will also come into force. Employers will also be required to inform workers of their right to join a trade union.

Contact the team

Here's how to get in touch if you have any questions at all or would like to speak to us about your enquiry. Please complete the form below and one of our experts will get in touch to discuss how we can help.

Fields marked with indicate required fields

Would you be happy for us to call you?
Would you like us to keep you up to date with our latest news and insights?

Your marketing preferences can be changed at any time here.

Do you agree to our privacy policy?

By ticking this box, you agree to our terms. We will only use the information you provide to handle your enquiry.
The information you submit will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy

What our clients say...

"Andrew was always looking out for my best interests, regardless of the implications for the amount of work generated for himself or his firm. He was very transparent and provided me with his expertise to help weigh the best course of action."

The Legal 500 - 2027

"Andrew Peters offers practical and realistic advice and is a calm voice of reason in often emotionally charged cases."

The Legal 500 - 2027

"I found the employment team that I used at TWM Solicitors, Guildford, was great. Everyone I spoke with was polite, kind, and very professional. All had exceptional knowledge of what I needed help with."

The Legal 500 - 2027

They had a good handle on the practical implications for our business and risks we needed to consider.

Chambers UK 2026 Guide

They were excellent in every aspect of my dealings with them.

Chambers UK 2026 Guide

We're trusted

Don't miss out

Subscribe to stay up to date with our latest news and insights.

We're here to help

Call us

0330 555 0440

Make an enquiry

Message us