Whats Does The New Employment Rights Bill Mean For You?
Has the UK Employment Rights Bill Been Passed?
The UK Employment Rights Bill has now cleared Parliament and is awaiting Royal Assent, the final step before it becomes law as the Employment Rights Act 2025.
While this marks a significant change in UK employment law, most of the headline reforms won’t take effect immediately. Key changes, including updates to unfair dismissal protections, sick pay and day-one rights, are expected to be phased in from 2026 onwards.
So what does this actually mean?
What This Means for Employees
For jobseekers and employees, the direction of travel is clear: stronger protections and greater clarity earlier in your employment.

Shorter qualifying periods for certain rights mean the early months in a new role will matter more than ever. Day-one entitlements and changes to sick pay also provide added security, particularly if you’re considering a move, returning to work, or switching between agency and in-house roles.
It also reinforces the importance of choosing the right role, not just the next one. Understanding contracts, expectations and workplace culture upfront will be key — and having informed guidance during that process can make all the difference.
What This Means for Employers
For employers, this legislation raises the bar on good hiring, onboarding and people management.
With employee rights kicking in sooner, clear role definitions, fair processes and strong early engagement will be critical. This places even more importance on getting the right hire first time — someone who fits not just the skills brief, but the culture and long-term goals of the business.
It also highlights the value of transparent communication around contracts, flexibility and progression, particularly in competitive marketing and digital markets where candidate expectations are evolving quickly.
Our Thoughts
Legislation alone doesn’t create great workplaces — but it does reinforce the need for thoughtful, well-informed recruitment. For candidates, it’s about making confident career moves. For clients, it’s about building resilient, engaged teams.
As these changes take shape, we’ll continue to translate what’s happening into practical insight, helping both sides navigate the market with clarity and confidence.
















