Government releases Employment Rights Bill implementation roadmap

The Government has just unveiled its Implementation Roadmap for the highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill. It outlines when we can expect various employment law reforms to come into effect.

In this article, Adrian Hoggarth, Head of Employment at Jurit, explores some of the key milestones and expected implementation dates, as employers and HR professionals start to prepare for the many changes that lie ahead.

Of the more unexpected announcements that have come from the Implementation Roadmap are the announcement of delays in implementing two major changes:

1. Reforms to zero-hour contracts; and
2. The introduction of ‘day one’ unfair dismissal rights.

These will not come into force until sometime in 2027, following consultations that will run through summer 2025 into early 2026.

If you are worried about the Employment Rights Bill, get in touch for help and support to enable your company to prepare for the many changes ahead.

In the meantime, here is a timeline of what to expect when:

Coming Soon (Post-Royal Assent)

• Repeal of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and most of the Trade Union Act 2016
• New legal protection from dismissal for participating in industrial action

April 2026

• Extension of the maximum protective award period for collective redundancies
• Introduction of ‘day one’ rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave
• Strengthened whistleblower protections
• Launch of a new Fair Work Agency
• Statutory Sick Pay improvements, including scrapping the lower earnings limit and waiting days
• Simplified trade union recognition processes and support for digital/workplace balloting

October 2026

• A new ban on “fire and rehire” tactics
• Creation of a Fair Pay Agreement Negotiating Body for adult social care
• Legislation to protect tipping rights
• Employers will have a new duty to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment
• Further expansion of trade union rights

2027

• Mandatory gender pay gap and menopause action plans (voluntary reporting starts April 2026)
• Strengthened rights for pregnant workers
• Introduction of bereavement leave
• Protections against the misuse of zero-hour contracts
• Regulation of umbrella companies
• Implementation of ‘day one’ unfair dismissal rights

Prepare now with Jurit

While many of these changes are still some way off, the scale of reform is significant. Employers and HR professionals should begin preparing now—especially as consultations on some measures begin this summer.

Stay informed with expert guidance from our employment law team – get in touch for more information.