Employment Rights Act changes already live from April 2026
Last checked 17 Oct 2026. Dates can change. Great Britain only.
When
6 April 2026
Status
In force
Who it affects
All employers in Great Britain
These changes are already live, according to the GOV.UK timeline.
6 April 2026
- Day one paternity leave and unpaid parental leave. Employees no longer need a minimum period of service to take them. Statutory paternity pay still has its own service and earnings conditions.
- Statutory sick pay from the first day. The waiting period and the lower earnings limit were removed. GOV.UK now says statutory sick pay is the lower of the weekly rate or 80 percent of the employee's average weekly earnings. Check GOV.UK for the current rate.
- Doubled maximum protective award for collective redundancy. The maximum award for failing to consult properly doubled, from 90 days to 180 days.
- Whistleblowing protection for reporting sexual harassment. Reporting sexual harassment can now count as a protected disclosure.
- Voluntary gender equality and menopause action plans. These are expected to become mandatory later. See other changes listed for 2027.
- Simplified trade union recognition. GOV.UK lists changes to the recognition process, which is mainly relevant if a union is active in your workplace.
7 April 2026
- The Fair Work Agency was established. It is the new body for enforcing employment rights. GOV.UK describes its role in broad terms and we have not confirmed which enforcement powers are live, so check the agency's own guidance.
A checklist to help you prepare
- Check that your sick pay process pays statutory sick pay from the first qualifying day, that payroll uses the current rule (the lower of the weekly rate or 80 percent of average weekly earnings) and that managers know the waiting period is gone.
- Check that your leave policies do not require a minimum service period for paternity or unpaid parental leave.
- If you are planning redundancies, note that the maximum protective award is now 180 days and keep consultation records.
- Check that your whistleblowing or speak up route covers reports of sexual harassment.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Check GOV.UK for the details of each change.
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Sources
- GOV.UK: Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act, timeline update
- GOV.UK: Statutory Sick Pay for employers
Last checked 17 Oct 2026. GOV.UK says all future dates remain subject to parliamentary processes and may change. General information only, not legal advice. Check GOV.UK before you act.
More on employment rights
- Tribunal time limit (1 October 2026)
- Sexual harassment duty (30 October 2026)
- Tipping (By the end of 2026)
- Unfair dismissal (1 January 2027)
- Fire and rehire (January 2027)
- Right to join a union (January 2027)
- Changes listed for 2027 (2027, no month yet)