Employers Rights Act made Royal Assent 18th December:
04.02.26 See update on the Rights Act.
Gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-lawsbringthe-world-of-work-into-the-21stcentury
ACAS
An historic win for working people
The Employment Rights Bill has now received Royal Assent and is officially the Employment Rights Act 2025 — a historic victory for trade unions and a once-in-a-generation upgrade to workers’ rights.
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.
The Act delivers:
•A ban on abusive fire-and-rehire practices
•Stronger protections against exploitative zero-hours contracts
•Fairer sick pay, including day-one entitlement
•Strengthened safeguards for pregnant workers, whistleblowers, and those facing sexual harassment
•Expanded parental and bereavement leave
•Repeal of certain anti-union restrictions and guaranteed union access to workplaces
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
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