Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Act introduces the most significant set of changes to UK employment law in many years. Rather than taking effect all at once, the reforms will be implemented gradually between 2026 and 2027, with Industrial Action Reforms already implemented in February and Worker Protection Reforms in April this year.

The timeline below highlights the key stages of implementation. The first table summarises the reforms and what they mean in practice for employers, including the level of legal and operational risk. The second table explains the practical implications for employees, focusing on how the reforms may affect workplace rights and protections.

Together, these provide a practical overview of the reforms and the areas organisations should begin preparing for now.