Employers are being urged to "act now" as major employment law changes are set to take effect.

The changes, which Bendles Solicitors described as the "most significant overhaul of employment law in a generation", come into force from April 6 under the new Employment Rights Act, passed in December last year.

Michael Johnson, partner at the Cumbrian law firm, said: "The Employment Rights Act brings the biggest shake-up in employment law that many employers will have seen in their working lifetime.

"The Government has been clear that these reforms are intended to create a fairer, more productive workplace.

"However, for employers they also bring legal and financial implications, from increased statutory sick pay costs to additional administrative responsibilities."

The changes expand day-one employment rights for all employees, meaning statutory sick pay, paternity leave, and unpaid parental leave are now available from the first day of employment.

There are also adjustments related to trade union activity and dismissal protection.

Additional reforms, set to take effect next year, include reducing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims from two years to six months, proposed new statutory bereavement leave, and greater protections for pregnant employees.

Further proposals include proposed tighter rules on zero and low-hours contracts, as well as new expectations for larger employers around gender equality and "menopause action plans".

Mr Johnson said: "With...

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