This interactive timeline highlights the key changes and consultations taking effect in 2026 and continuing into 2027. To explore a specific area of interest, select the corresponding bullet point for further information.

Please note: These timings are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change

Click here for extended table overview

Timeline overview

In force

Imminent

Consultations

Not yet in force

18 December 2025

  • ERA received Royal Assent
  • Minimum service levels during certain strikes repealed

18 February 2026

  • Reduces industrial action regulation
  • Changes certification officer powers
  • Reduces public sector trade union “check off” rules

6 April 2026

  • Reduces trade union statutory recognition rules
  • Doubles the max. collective redundancy protective award
  • Day one rights - statutory paternity and unpaid parental leave
  • Statutory Sick Pay reforms
  • Protects sexual harassment disclosure
  • Holiday pay records

7 April 2026

  • Fair Work Agency is established

Consultations Launched during the first half of 2026

  • Fire and rehire
  • Zero and low hour contract rights
  • Umbrella company regulation
  • Collective redundancies
  • Tipping policies
  • Trade union regulation
  • Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill
  • Non-disclosure agreements

Consultations Launched during the second half of 2026

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Equal Pay
  • Acas consultation on draft Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures
  • Flexible working
  • Whistleblowing
  • Carer’s leave consultation
  • Worker status

25 August 2026

  • Trade union balloting changes

1 October 2026

  • Tribunal claim time limit extended

30 October 2026

  • Protection against detriment for taking part in industrial action
  • Rights for unions to negotiate workplace access agreements
  • Trade unions: rights to time off, reasonable accomodation and other facilities
  • Duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment
  • Employer liability for third‑party harassment
  • Reforms to access and unfair practices during statutory recognition

January 2027

  • Unfair dismissal qualifying period cut to 6 months; compensation cap removed
  • Duty to inform workers of right to join a trade union
  • Duty to consult: written tipping policies
  • Fair pay agreements

March 2027

  • New limits on “fire and rehire”
  • Larger employers to publish gender equality action plans (public authorities)

April 2027

  • Bereavement leave
  • Expands unpaid bereavement leave
  • Further industrial relations changes: extending blacklisting protections
  • New collective redundancy trigger
  • Larger employers to publish gender equality action plans (private and voluntary sector employers)

August 2027

  • Further industrial relations changes: electronic balloting for statutory recognition and derecognition ballots

September 2027

  • The voiding of some NDA or confidentiality terms

October 2027

  • Flexible working
  • Strengthened dismissal protections: pregnant employees

December 2027

  • Umbrella companies regulation

Exact timing to be confirmed

  • Offer guaranteed hours to zero hour/low‑hours workers; give reasonable shift notice and pay for cancelled or changed shifts
  • Regulations specifying sexual harassment - employer taken all ‘reasonable’ steps

Other employment law developments

  • 18‑month review of family leave and pay due to report in 2027
  • Government TUPE review
  • Proposed reforms to worker status
  • Proposed changes to Time off for public duties
  • Review of right to be accompanied
  • Non-Competes

© Eversheds Sutherland. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland is a global provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Eversheds Sutherland is the name and brand under which the members of Eversheds Sutherland Limited (Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP) and their respective controlled, managed and affiliated firms and the members of Eversheds Sutherland (Europe) Limited (each an "Eversheds Sutherland Entity" and together the "Eversheds Sutherland Entities") provide legal or other services to clients around the world. Eversheds Sutherland Entities are constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local regulatory and legal requirements and operate in accordance with their locally registered names. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland, is for description purposes only and does not imply that the Eversheds Sutherland Entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. The responsibility for the provision of services to the client is defined in the terms of engagement between the instructed firm and the client.

Share this page