Summary
The UK government plans to change workers' rights, with laws set to take effect in April 2026. Changes include adjusting unfair dismissal rights and zero-hours contracts, and introducing flexible working and improved sick pay rules. Business groups have mixed reactions, and it's unclear how all proposals will work.
Key Facts
- The Employment Rights Bill aims to update workers' rights in England, Scotland, and Wales by April 2026.
- Originally, the bill proposed unfair dismissal protection from day one of employment, but this changed to six months after business group opposition.
- Zero-hours contract workers will be offered guaranteed-hours contracts based on a 12-week working period if they choose.
- The bill proposes making flexible working the "default" unless employers can prove it is unreasonable.
- Current sick pay rules will change, removing the waiting period, allowing 1.3 million low-paid workers to receive sick pay from the first day of illness.
- The reforms will include maintaining day-one rights against discrimination, and rights to sick pay and paternity leave.
- The changes will apply to Great Britain but not Northern Ireland, where employment law differs.
