Extending the right to protection from dismissal following pregnancy and other family leave

The right not to be dismissed for redundancy during or after a period of pregnancy has been extended to dismissals for any other reason. The further right not to dismiss a pregnant employee during pregnancy and following her return to work will be set out in regulations due to be implemented in 2027. Failure by an employer to comply with these regulations will result in the dismissal of the pregnant employee or new mother being automatically unfair. Consultation on these measures ran from the 23 October 2025 until 15 January 2026. 

 

Visit our main Employment Rights Act Hub for further information.Â