Various changes under the Employment Rights Act 2025 took effect on 6 April 2026. HR should begin planning for further reforms due to be introduced later in 2026.
Increased national minimum wage rates apply from 1 April 2026. The rate apprentices must be paid depends on their age and whether they are still in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Updated to refer to the Court of Appeal decision in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom, which confirmed that the coastal rescue volunteer had worker status.
Updated to reflect that the Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which extend redundancy protection for pregnant employees and new parents, come into force on 6 April 2024.
Practical guidance on employing part-time workers, including the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000; pro rata pay and benefits; and annual leave and bank holiday entitlement.
Practical guidance on managing an agency worker who is pregnant or a new mother, including rights under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010; the 12-week qualifying period; pregnancy and maternity discrimination; risk assessments; antenatal appointments; and maternity leave and pay.
Practical guidance on calculating the 12-week qualifying period under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, including the need to be in the same role with the same hirer; breaks in the assignment; and anti-avoidance provisions.