08 January 2026

The government has released a comprehensive set of impact assessments and analytical documents relating to the Employment Rights Act 2025, bringing together the legal, economic and operational implications of one of the most wide‑ranging employment law reforms in recent years.

Hosted on GOV.UK, the collection includes detailed assessments from the Department for Business and Trade, Cabinet Office, Department for Transport, and Department for Work and Pensions, covering everything from flexible working and unfair dismissal rights to trade union reforms, zero‑hours contract protections, and changes to statutory leave entitlements.

You can access the full set of documents here. 

The page brings together more than 25 individual impact assessments, including:

  • Day 1 rights for unfair dismissal, paternity leave and unpaid parental leave
  • New protections for pregnant workers and whistleblowers
  • Zero‑hours contract reforms, including guaranteed hours and compensation for cancelled shifts
  • Strengthened trade union rights and repeal of previous legislation
  • Fair pay agreements in adult social care
  • Changes to employment tribunal time limits
  • New rights to unpaid bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss
  • Mandatory seafarers’ charter and collective redundancy rules for seafarers
  • Removal of the Lower Earnings Limit for Statutory Sick Pay.

Each assessment outlines the expected costs, benefits, administrative impacts and implementation considerations for employers.


Information provided in this news article may be subject to change. Please make note of the date of publication to ensure that you are viewing up to date information. 

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