14 key changes to your employment rights in 2026 – full list | UK | News
Workers will have more rights starting this year (Image: Getty)
There will be some significant changes to your rights at work this year following the passage of the Employment Rights Bill into law on 18 December.
The Act will add to and amend existing legislation, including the Employment Rights Act 1996. Most labor law changes have not yet come into force; They will come into effect next month until the end of the year. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said of the bill: “Today we have proven what a pro-business, pro-worker Government can achieve: a modern framework for workers’ rights. This Bill stimulates a rise in living standards, supports productivity and, most importantly, provides greater security and dignity for working people. When we said we would bring work into the 21st century, we meant it and today we delivered.”
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Union activity is further protected (Image: Getty)
Increased strike and dismissal protection
From February, dismissal for participating in a strike will be “automatically unfair”. This will also remove the current 12-week limit on unfair dismissal claims.
From October, striking workers will be protected against detriment as they will be treated less favorably by their employers.
Unions need simple majority to vote for industrial action
Watchdogs are no longer needed
Industrial action powers last for 12 months
Industrial action and ballot paper notifications simplified
Political funding rules have changed
Allowing union members to vote electronically
Trade unions’ right to access the workplace
Reasonable accommodation and facilities for union representatives
Leave period for union equality representatives to carry out their duties
Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave
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Paternity leave will be made a ‘first day right’ and the person will be allowed to declare leave from the first day of work instead of 26 days.
Ordinary parental leave will also become a ‘day one entitlement’ instead of a one-year work obligation
Restriction on taking paternity leave lifted following abolition of shared parental leave
Lower earnings limit removed
Mass dismissal protection award
From April, the maximum ‘protective award’ for failure to consult on collective redundancy will increase from 90 days’ salary to 180 days’ salary.
Reporting protections against sexual harassment
From April, sexual harassment becomes a ‘qualified disclosure’ under the whistleblower law; This means that the person who reports sexual harassment will be protected from harm and unfair dismissal.
Gender pay gap and menopause action plans
Employers need to create action plans on menopause and gender pay gaps. These will be voluntary from April 2026 and will become mandatory at some point in 2027.
The agency will be established in April to strengthen existing enforcement bodies and enforce employment rights, including holiday pay and statutory sick pay.
Firing someone from October and then rehiring them on worse terms and conditions will automatically amount to unfair dismissal in most cases.
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Employers will be liable for harassment from third parties, such as customers or clients, unless they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it.
Employers will need to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment – current law says ‘reasonable steps’
A change to the law regarding Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) is expected to override provisions that prevent employees from disclosing harassment or discrimination. The date of this change is currently unknown.
Starting in October, employers must consult with workers or their representatives before establishing a tipping policy and update the tipping policy every 3 years.
Labor court time limits
From October, the period for submitting an application to the labor court will increase from three months to six months for all claims.
Public sector outsourcing
From October, employers will no longer be able to offer different terms and conditions to former public sector employees and private sector employees.
Mandatory Seafarer Requirement
In December, a new mandatory convention will come into force for seafarers, with higher standards on health and safety, pay, occupational safety and rest breaks.
