Organisations are unprepared for imminent changes to trade union rights under the government’s employment law reforms.
A new survey by UK law firm Birketts found that more than half of businesses surveyed do not currently recognise trade unions, while only 2% say they are fully prepared for incoming workplace access changes.
The findings come as employers prepare for measures introduced through the Employment Rights Act reforms, which are set to strengthen trade union rights and make it easier for unions to access workplaces, recruit members and organise within businesses.
A key part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, trade union access rights take effect on 30 October 2026, with fines for non-compliance potentially reaching up to 500,000.
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From that date, trade unions will have a new right to access workplaces and engage with workers, either in-person or digitally, even if they currently have no members in the workforce. Employers and unions will be able to negotiate access agreements into workplaces under a new statutory framework.
In a poll of almost 200 business leaders and HR professionals, Birketts found that 60% of respondents do not currently recognise trade unions within their organisation, while only 37% do and 3% were unsure.
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