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Workers Rights Act

Employers Rights Act 2025

Made Royal Assent 18th December:

18.02.26 See update on the Rights Act.

Gov.uk

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-lawsbringthe-world-of-work-into-the-21stcentury

ACAS

https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-rights-bill#:~:text=The%20Employment%20Rights%20Bill%20has,the%20Employment%20Rights%20Act%201996

An historic win for working people

Thanks to union pressure, millions of workers will benefit from day-one sick pay from April 2026, alongside a wide range of strengthened protections. Had this legislation been delayed, working people would have missed out — but unions ensured the first wave of rights is delivered on time.

New employment rights take effect

Key parts of the Employment Rights Act 2025 come into force.

The Trade Union Act 2016 placed extra restrictions on unions – these have now been removed. These changes are intended to strengthen unions in the workplace and tackle job insecurity.

From 6 April 2026, paternity leave and unpaid parental leave will become a day one right, meaning employees can take them from the start of their employment. Newly eligible employees can give notice to take leave from today, and the notice period for paternity leave will temporarily reduce from 15 weeks to 28 days.

What’s changed for unions?

  • No more check-off fees in the public sector.
  • Facility time reporting and caps removed.
  • 40% ballot threshold scrapped in key public services.
  • Less paperwork for industrial action notices.
  • Ballot mandates extended to 12 months.
  • Strike notice reduced to 10 days.
  • No requirement for picket supervisors.
  • Stronger protection from unfair dismissal during lawful strikes.

Visit our website for the full side-by-side breakdown of the changes.

 

As TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said, this is a moment that breaks decades of insecurity, weak rights, and low pay. It shows what unions can achieve when members organise, campaign, and stand together.

This landmark law didn’t happen by chance. Unions fought for it every step of the way. It’s about dignity at work, stronger rights, better pay, and a fairer economy — and it proves the power of union solidarity in action.

Making sure the Employment Rights Act works for workers.

Winning new rights is only the first step – making them real in the workplace is where reps come in. We are planning a major programme of support to help reps understand the new law and take action:

•The Big Employment Law Webinar – the essential Employment Rights Act webinar

•A series of Employment Rights Act webinars explaining the actual changes, what they mean for workers, and how reps can make sure employers follow the new rights

•A series of in-person events across the country – our very own ERAs Tour – giving reps space to dig into the changes and discuss real workplace issues

•New interactive briefings clearly setting out the specific changes introduced by the Act

•Updated employment law courses for reps, reflecting the new rights and how to enforce them

 

Posted: 7th February 2026

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