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From 1 October 2026, businesses must conduct right-to-work checks on a wider range of individuals, including contractors, freelancers, gig-economy workers and agency workers. The change, introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, is intended to prevent businesses from avoiding immigration controls through alternative labour models. Previously, the statutory checking regime focused principally [...]
The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a new statutory right for qualifying trade unions to access workplaces. The right will come into force on 30 October 2026 and will be supported by secondary legislation and a statutory Code of Practice. The new framework will allow independent trade unions to access workplaces for purposes including meeting [...]
For years, the approach to contractual change that most employers reached for when negotiations stalled was some version of the same conversation: "We’ve consulted. They haven’t agreed. We’re going to have to dismiss and re-engage." That option is now effectively closed. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, it is automatically [...]
Professional services firms (accountancy, consultancy, law, architecture, engineering) typically have lower overall exposure to the Employment Rights Act 2025 than operational sectors. But the changes to unfair dismissal, fire-and-rehire, and SSP still create specific risks, particularly for firms that have relied on informal management approaches. The change What it means for you What you need [...]
Every employer in the country needs to update their sickness absence policy this year. This applies to every employer, in every sector, of every size. Starting April 2026, two significant changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will take effect: - The three waiting days will be abolished. SSP will now be payable from day one [...]
The Employment Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. It introduced a package of over 28 employment reforms with implementation to be staged across 2026 and 2027 with much of the 2025 Act awaiting further consultation and secondary legislation. Given its breadth, scale and complexity, the 2025 Act is a substantial shift [...]
Major reforms are on the way in UK employment law. The Employment Rights Bill and the forthcoming Equality (Race and Disability) Bill will reshape core workplace rights over the next two years. Although the government’s implementation schedule signals a gradual rollout, the breadth of change means employers should begin preparations now to ensure compliance and [...]
The Government has recently announced a significant proposal aimed at reforming the use of confidentiality clauses—commonly referred to as non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)—in the context of discrimination allegations. This initiative seeks to address longstanding concerns regarding the misuse of such clauses to silence victims and conceal unlawful conduct within workplaces and other institutions. Key Features of [...]
When ending an employment relationship, employers often wish to have open and constructive conversations with employees to explore the possibility of an agreed exit. Done properly, pre-termination negotiations can help avoid lengthy and costly disputes. However, there are legal risks involved if such discussions are not handled carefully. Two important legal protections employers can rely [...]
Employee statutory payments are due to increase from April 2025. These statutory payments include sickness, maternity, adoption, paternity and bereavement. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will rise from £116.75 to £118.75 per week, with a qualifying threshold of £125 per week. Under the Employment Rights Bill, SSP will become payable from the first day of sickness [...]
