Employment Rights Act 2025 Hub

The Employment Rights Act marks one of the biggest changes to workplace rights in a generation. The Act came into force on 18 December 2025, with many of the new rights and protections being introduced in stages over the coming months and years.  

The Act brings in wide-ranging reforms across areas including trade union rights, collective redundancy, fire and rehire, collective bargaining, zero hours contracts, family friendly rights, flexible working, enhanced protections against harassment, the introduction of the Fair Work Agency, statutory sick pay from day one, amended unfair dismissal rights and extended employment tribunal time limits. 

Many of the provisions are subject to further regulations and ongoing consultation exercises. 

This hub brings everything you need to know in one place. It explains what is changing and what it means for trade union members. As the law is implemented, this page will be updated with new guidance, resources, and support to help you understand and use the enhanced rights the Act introduces.

Employment Rights Act - Upcoming Changes

Please find further information on the upcoming changes in the following areas:

• Bereavement Leave
• Collective Bargaining
• Collective Redundancy
• Employment tribunal limits increased
• Extending Protection from Dismissal Following Pregnancy and Other Family Leave
• Fair Work Agency
• Fire and Rehire
• Flexible Working
• Harassment
• Non-disclosure Agreements
• SSP
• Trade Union Rights
• Unfair Dismissal
• Zero-hours Contracts

Employment Rights Act 2025 - Timeline (Download)

We have prepared a timeline and short guide to the Employment Rights Act 2025. It sets out when the first key changes are currently expected to take effect,  

The dates shown reflect the Government’s timetable. They may change, and we will update this page as further commencement dates are confirmed. 

• Download the timeline and guide here.

Employment Rights Act 2025 – Upcoming Dates

7 April 2026

Fair Work Agency launches.

April 2026 

Statutory sick pay becomes a day one right, as does paternity and unpaid parental leave.

The protective award in a collective redundancy claim increases.

The trade union recognition process is simplified.

Whistleblowing expressly protects disclosure of sexual harassment.

Voluntary Equality Action plans are introduced. 

No earlier than August 2026 

Electronic and workplace balloting changes for trade unions.

October 2026 

Requirement to provide a written statement of the right to join a trade union.

Strengthen Union access to the workplace.  

Removal of unfair practices in the trade union recognition process.  

Extension of protections for union representatives, including equality representatives. 

Protection from being subject to a detriment for taking industrial action.  

Steps to introduce a fair pay agreement in adult social care.

Improved duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

Introduction of protection from third party harassment.  

Extension of Employment Tribunal time limits. 

January 2027 

Reduction in the unfair dismissal qualifying period to 6 months, and removal of the compensatory award cap. 

New provisions on fire and rehire.  

Read our Employment Rights Act 2025 articles:

• Employment Rights Act 2025: Key Developments So Far
• Industrial action and minimum service levels
• Trade union recognition
• Trade union access rights
• ERA 2025 receives Royal Assent
• Political Subscriptions and the Certification Officer
• TU detriment and dismissal
• Protective awards and consultation rights

Background: Employment Rights Bill articles:

• Employment Rights Bill: Government Launches Four Consultations
• Employment Rights Bill: Lords to Consider Commons Rejections on 28 October
• Employment Rights Bill: Commons Rejects Key Lords Amendments and Next Steps
• Employment Rights Bill: Third Reading Scheduled
• Employment Rights Bill: Lords Approve Amendments in Third Sitting
• Key Developments: Government Roadmap to Implement the Employment Rights Bill
• Employment Rights Bill: Initial Briefing

Upcoming Webinars

As new rights come into force, we will be hosting webinars to explain what the Employment Rights Act means for union members and workers in practice. These sessions will cover key changes, answer common questions, and provide practical guidance on how to understand and use your rights at work. 

Our webinars are designed to be clear, accessible, and focused on the issues that matter most to trade unions and their members.

Webinar links will be placed here when available.

Resources

The Government has published official factsheets explaining the Employment Rights Act and the reforms it introduces.

These provide a high-level overview of the law and how it is being implemented. 

Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-rights-bill-factsheets

Please see our Employment Rights Act 2025 Briefing from December 2025:

• Employment Rights Act 2025 Briefing

Consultation Responses

• Duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union
• Right of Trade Unions to Access Workplaces
• Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay
• Strengthening remedies against abuse of rules on collective redundancy and fire and rehire
• Draft Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Balloting for Statutory Union Ballots
• Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers 
• Creating a modern framework for industrial relations
• The application of zero hours contracts measures to agency workers 

Sign up for the ELR Newsletter

Our Employment Law Review newsletter keeps you up to date with the latest developments and explains what changes to employment and trade union law mean for trade unions and their members. 

By signing up, you will receive clear updates, practical guidance, and information on upcoming webinars and resources as employment rights continue to evolve. 

Sign up to the Employment Law Review newsletter

Help & Guidance

Thompsons Solicitors is proud to be the chosen employment law partner for the UK’s major trade unions and to assist them in providing expert advice and representation to members. 

As a trade union member, you can access employment law advice, guidance and support from your local union representative at any time. They will involve your union’s legal service as necessary. 

Thompsons Solicitors’ employment rights lawyers become involved if the matter cannot be resolved by the union, and the only remedy is a legal one. Our employment rights lawyers only act for trade unions and their members, offering comprehensive employment law advice.