Weds 3rd June 2026
The landscape of employment law is currently undergoing a significant shift, representing a major increase in workers’ rights compared to the past 45 years. At this morning’s breakfast presentation, Wealden Business Group member Jenna Hunter, founder of Hunter Law, provided the group with an invaluable overview of the new Employment Rights Act 2025. Jenna explained that while the legislation officially became law in December 2025, its implementation is incremental, meaning that the majority of future changes are still subject to commencement regulations over the next few years.
During her talk, Jenna highlighted several key areas where employers need to prepare for shifting compliance requirements. Significant upcoming changes in April 2026 include day-one rights for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and unpaid ordinary parental leave. Furthermore, Jenna outlined that by 2027, pregnant women and new mothers will see enhanced protections against dismissal, and employers will also have to navigate new compliance and enforcement duties under the newly established Fair Work Agency. The Act also introduces stricter workplace harassment measures, making employers liable for third-party harassment and raising the compliance threshold to require employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment by October 2026.
Perhaps most impactful for local businesses are the incoming changes to industrial relations and unfair dismissal rules. Jenna noted that from January 2027, the qualifying period for bringing an unfair dismissal claim will be reduced from two years to just six months, which will be accompanied by an extension of the limitation period for submitting an employment tribunal claim. Additionally, the practice of “fire and rehire” to force contractual changes will be strictly restricted, making dismissals automatically unfair unless a business can demonstrate evidence of severe financial difficulties. Acknowledging that these changes represent a more onerous burden for employers, Jenna advised business owners to proactively review employment contracts, update HR systems and policies, and ensure that new-hire probation periods are closely managed before the new rules fully take effect.
Check out Jenna’s presentation…
Hunter Law can be found at https://hunterlaw.uk/ or call 01622 663355
