Starting out
New rights for new starters: the Employment Rights Act timeline
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is arriving in stages. Several changes matter most in your first months in a new job.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent in December 2025. Rather than switching on all at once, it’s being introduced in stages. The government’s own timeline, last updated in August 2026, sets out the dates below. It also says dates can change as regulations go through Parliament.
| When | What changes |
|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | Statutory Sick Pay from the first day of sickness; day-one rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave |
| 7 April 2026 | Fair Work Agency set up |
| 1 October 2026 | Time limit for employment tribunal claims extended from three to six months |
| 30 October 2026 | Employers must take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment, including by third parties |
| January 2027 | Unfair dismissal protection after six months’ service (for dismissals from 1 January 2027); compensation cap removed |
| 2027 | Right to guaranteed hours, reasonable notice of shifts and compensation for cancelled or changed shifts (timing to be confirmed after consultation) |
Why the first six months matter
From January 2027, you’ll be protected from unfair dismissal once you’ve worked for your employer for six months, a shorter qualifying period than today. The first months of a job are when both sides find out whether it fits, so it’s worth knowing where you stand.
If you’re on zero hours
The guaranteed-hours rights aren’t in force yet. What applies now: your employer can’t ban you from working elsewhere, and you build up paid holiday in proportion to the hours you work.
Sources
- Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline updateDepartment for Business and Trade, 2026
- Zero hours contracts: guidance for employersGOV.UK, 2026
- Sickness absences that start before and end on or after 6 April 2026GOV.UK, 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice. We checked the figures against these sources on 25 September 2026. Rules and rates change, so check the official source for your situation.