Stay Ahead: Key 2026 Employment Law & Right-to-Work Changes
13/02/2026
Big changes are coming to UK employment law and right-to-work requirements in 2026 - and it is important for both employers and agency workers to stay informed. Here’s what you need to know:
April 2026 – Day-1 Rights & Protections
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) - available from the first day of sickness, more workers qualify.
- Parental & Paternity Leave - entitled from day one of employment.
- Bereaved Partner Leave - entitled from day one if a partner dies during pregnancy or within 12 months of the child’s birth.
- Fair Work Agency launches - ensuring labour standards, holiday pay & worker rights are enforced.
- Whistleblowing protections extended - sexual harassment complaints are now protected.
Later in 2026 – Policies & Industrial Protections
- Trade Union Duties - employers must inform staff of their union rights.
- Industrial Action Protections - workers better protected from detriment.
- Employment Tribunal Limits - time limits for claims increase to six months.
- Tipping Policies - employers must consult workers and regularly update policies.
Right-to-Work Updates
- Expanded checks - employers must verify right-to-work documentation for all worker types, including agency, gig, zero-hour, and casual workers.
- Enforcement and penalties - civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance. The goal is to reduce illegal working across all types of employment.
- Timeline - rules will be phased in throughout 2026, so employers should prepare early and stay updated.
What This Could Mean for You
For employers & clients:
- Update HR policies, contracts, and onboarding processes.
- Ensure systems support new employee rights and expanded right-to-work checks.
For agency workers:
- Stronger rights from your very first day.
- More inclusive sick pay, leave, and redundancy protections.
- Keep your documentation ready for new right-to-work checks.
Stay Compliant, Stay Informed
We will keep you updated as further guidance is released. For questions or support, contact your local branch – we are here to help.