This year is set to be incredibly busy for HR professionals and in-house employment lawyers. With the Employment Rights Act receiving Royal Assent in 2025, as well as the routine changes that accompany the new tax year in April, multiple reforms will come into effect in 2026. Here are some of the key dates to be aware of, and a brief overview of the legislative changes in the workplace.

• The Employment Rights Act received Royal Assent in December 2025.
• Changes to Employment Laws will come into effect in February, April, and October of this year.
• With so many legislative updates, it is likely that employers will see an increase in tribunal claims and a longer waiting period between the start of a claim and the final hearing.

Keeping track of when each legislative update comes into effect can be confusing. This timeline provides a breakdown of the scheduled changes to employment law this year.

On the Horizon for 2026

Although no specific timeline has been given, the following developments are expected to occur this year:

• The publication of the response to the 2025 consultation on the proposed Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, along with a draft of the legislation, is anticipated. This bill would require employers with 250 or more staff to report on disability and ethnicity pay.
• Reforms to noncompete clauses in employment contracts are expected, aimed at increasing flexibility for workers.
• A new consultation on employment status is planned, intended to clarify the...

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