Demystifying the Employment Rights Act 2025
The Employment Rights Act 2025 "will represent the biggest upgrade in employment rights for a generation". The Act introduces a wide range of reforms that will impact employers and HR professionals.
This content hub brings together all our latest articles, podcasts, and insights to help you stay informed and prepared. Whether you're looking for a summary of the Employment Rights Act 2025, updates on the Act's implementation timeline, or expert commentary on key issues like fire and rehire, day one rights, and collective redundancy consultation, you’ll find it all here.
As the Act progresses through its phased rollout, we’ll continue to provide timely updates and practical guidance. Explore the content below to understand what these changes mean for you and your organisation.
Employment Rights Act 2025 timeline
18 December 2025 - Royal Assent
+
The government's power to set minimum services levels in essential services during strikes was repealed. Relevant parts of the Trade Union Act 2016 – which imposed limitations on strike action such as longer notice periods, restrictions on picketing and expiry of industrial action mandates after six months – will be repealed automatically two months after royal assent without further consultation i.e. 18 February 2026.
Early 2026
+
Government consultations expected on many measures contained in the Act to give further details not set out in the Act and inform the drafting of Regulations which will set out these details. As many as 17 consultations are expected.
April 2026
+
Doubling collective redundancy protective award, whistleblowing protection for sexual harassment, making statutory paternity leave, unpaid parental leave and SSP "day one" rights, simplifying trade union recognition, and workplace balloting measures expected to come into force.
October 2026
+
Restrictions on fire and rehire/replace, extension of duty to prevent sexual harassment to third parties and requirement to take all reasonable steps, extension of tribunal time limits to 6 months, protections against industrial action detriment, new trade union right to access workplaces and worker to be told of right to join a union expected to come into force.
2027
+
Remaining provisions expected to come into force: six months service required for unfair dismissal protection and unlimited compensation, collective redundancy consultation threshold changes, zero and low hours contracts measures, gender pay gap and menopause action plans, pregnancy and maternity returners' rights, flexible working, and bereavement leave, as well as possibly measures making contractual terms void where they seek to prevent disclosures about discrimination and harassment.
Explore our Employment Rights Act 2025 Tracker
Follow our Employment Rights Act 2025 tracker to stay informed on the latest developments
Explore the tracker
Sign up to Employment Rights Act 2025 updates
Receive news and updates about the Employment Rights Act 2025 straight to your inbox
Sign up here
Podcasts
There are no matching articles, please try a different filter.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 podcast series
Employment
Our Employment and Pensions group is one of the largest specialist employment teams in the country, with over 60 specialist employment and pensions lawyers nationally. Tax is an integrated part of the advice we provide.
Learn more
Equal Pay
Our experienced employment team provides guidance and support to help you navigate organisational equal and gender pay issues.
Learn more
Immigration
Our specialist team supports businesses and individuals in navigating the complex framework of immigration law.
Learn more
Industrial Relations
Our specialist employee relations unit has an established reputation for handling complex industrial relations disputes, including major national strikes.
Learn more
Pensions
Our pensions team offers comprehensive legal advice across both the private and public sectors.
Learn more
Regulatory and Investigations
Our comprehensive regulatory services span diverse sectors, including healthcare, finance, and more. We offer pragmatic, industry-specific advice to ensure compliance and navigate complex regulations with confidence.
Learn more
Quiénes somos
¿Por qué elegir DAC Beachcroft?
Somos un bufete comercial de amplia base que presta servicios a una gran variedad de sectores, con una sólida herencia en seguros,
salud e inmobiliario. Combinamos excelentes conocimientos jurídicos y experiencia de vanguardia para diseñar soluciones en
que se adapten a las necesidades de nuestros clientes, a menudo con un uso inteligente de la tecnología.