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Need to know
Around 15 million people – half of all workers – are expected to benefit from major changes to UK employment law
Need to know: Major Employment Rights Act to transform UK workplaces from April 2026
- Major changes to employment rights are set to benefit approximately fifteen million workers from April 2026, with the Employment Rights Act introducing seven crucial measures.
- The most significant change will transform sick pay into a “day one” right, removing the three-day waiting period and earnings threshold. Up to 1.3 million of the lowest earners will now receive statutory sick pay from their first day of illness.
- TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “The Employment Rights Act will deliver vital common sense reforms for millions of people across the country, including sick pay for all workers from day one, banning exploitative zero hours contracts and protecting workers from harassment.”
- Other key changes include day one rights for parental and bereavement leave, and the end of unethical fire and rehire practices. The Act is expected to deliver an estimated £10 billion boost to the economy.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.” From January 2027, employees will also gain unfair dismissal protection after six months instead of two years.
- The reforms aim to end insecure work, unfair pay and poor working conditions while putting more money in people’s pockets and enhancing living standards across the UK.
READ THE FULL STORY: Sick pay changes for millions of workers as new law comes in from April 6
