Business
Ministers say phased changes will boost productivity and retention as statutory rights are expanded.
The government has unveiled new guidance to help employers prepare for sweeping changes to employment law, as ministers seek to ease the transition to stronger workplace protections coming into force from April.
The support follows the passage of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and is aimed at helping the UK’s 1.4m employers understand and implement reforms over a two-year rollout period. Officials say the measures are designed to strengthen job security while supporting business growth and workforce stability.
Companies are being directed to a new online hub offering free practical advice, including timelines, summaries of legal changes and recommended actions. The guidance is intended to help employers comply with new rules and avoid disruption as the reforms are introduced in stages.
From April, statutory sick pay will become payable from the first day of absence, while new “day one” rights for parental and paternity leave will also take effect. Further measures will follow later in the implementation period.
The changes form part of the government’s wider “Plan to Make Work Pay”, which aims to modernise labour market regulation and improve standards across sectors.
Kate Dearden, the employment rights minister, said the reforms were central to the government’s growth strategy.
“Creating a modern, fair and dynamic labour market is central to our plan for growth,”...
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