Government publishes the Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap

The Government has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for the Employment Rights Bill, aimed at raising living standards across the country while giving employers and workers the time to adapt. This roadmap sets out timelines for new landmark rights, with 15 million, or half of all, workers set to start benefitting from later this year. The Government will continue to consult with employers, workers, and trade unions to ensure the best deal for growth and boosting living standards in line with the Plan for Change.

Changes are here

Inclusive Consultation Process

A wide range of voices have helped shape this Bill. Delivering change that works for everyone remains a priority, which is why the Government will continue to consult with business groups, employers, workers, and trade unions in phases on the detail of the measures, beginning this summer and continuing into the new year. The rollout of all measures will follow a structured timeline, so that stakeholders can plan their time and resources to make sure they are ready when the changes come into effect.

Highlights of the Roadmap

After the Bill is Passed (Likely September/October 2025)

• Immediate repeal of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and the majority of the Trade Union Act 2016 to create a better relationship with unions that will prevent the need for strikes.

• Protections against dismissal for taking industrial action to ensure workers can defend their rights without fear of losing their jobs.

April 2026

• Collective redundancy protective award  doubling the maximum period of the protective award to provide stronger financial security for workers facing mass redundancies.

• ‘Day one’ paternity leave and unpaid parental leave to support working families from the very start of employment.

• Whistleblowing protections to encourage reporting of wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.

• Fair Work Agency established to enforce labour rights and promote fairness in the workplace.

• Statutory sick pay – removing the lower earnings limit and waiting period.

• A package of trade union measures including simplifying the trade union recognition process and electronic and workplace balloting to strengthen democracy and participation in the workplace.

October 2026

• Ending unscrupulous fire and rehire practices to protect workers from being forced into worse terms under threat of dismissal.

• Regulations to establish the Fair Pay Agreement Adult Social Care Negotiating Body in England to raise standards and pay in the social care sector.

• Tightening tipping law - strengthen the law on tipping by mandating consultation with workers to ensure fairer tip allocation.

• Requiring employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees to create safer, more respectful workplaces.

• Introducing an obligation on employers not to permit the harassment of their employees by third parties to extend protections to all work environments, including public-facing roles.

2027

• Rights for pregnant workers to be strengthened through the introduction of specific measures to ensure their protection and support in the workplace.

• Flexible working & zero-hour contract reforms, Empowering workers with predictable income and balance.

• Protection against unfair dismissal as a Day 1 right

• Bereavement leave strengthening rights by introducing specific measures to ensure employees receive adequate support and time off.

• Umbrella company regulations to ensure fair treatment and protection for workers employed through these companies.

• Menopause & gender pay gap action plans to support women’s health at work.

How We Can Help You Through This Transition

The phased rollout gives businesses the time to prepare. If this feels like a “rabbit in head lights” moment come and talk to us as we can help and guide you and your team to ensure you’re not just compliant but confident and protected as the new pieces of legislation come in to force. Leaving you the important job of growing and managing your business.

We can help by providing;

Policy audit of HR policies with upcoming legislative milestones helping to provide clarity and employee trust.

Compliance road mapping - Helping you to create tailored action plans to prepare for phased implementation across 2026–2027.

Leadership briefing sessions – Either in-house or on-line equipping decision-makers with strategic insights on what’s changing, why it matters, and how to lead through it.

Workplace culture workshops – Show how the new protections can align with your values to turn compliance into culture.

Stakeholder engagement support – Provide businesses with the tools to navigate conversations with employees and board stakeholders.

Guidance & documentation toolkits – Provide resources and tailor made templates for contracts, parental leave, whistleblowing protocols, and more.

Ongoing strategic partnership – Helping you to stay ready rather than reactive through our HR support and thought leadership that evolves with your business