Employment Law Changes Taking Effect On April 6th

Whilst many are still enjoying the long Easter break, a raft of employment law changes come into effect on 6 April 2026.

In no particular order these are:

1. Paternity leave becomes a day 1 right – previously only available to those with 26 weeks’ continuous service.
2. Parental leave becomes a day 1 right – previously only available to those with 1 year’s continuous service.
3. Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave – a new day 1 right which allows for leave of up to 52 weeks in the event the primary carer has died within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption.
4. SSP is payable from 1^st day of absence – previously only payable on day 4 of a continuous absence.
5. SSP eligibility is also increased with the removal of the lower earnings limit.
6. Whistle-blowing protection is extended to cover disclosures regarding sexual harassment – policies should be updated to reflect this.
7. Protective awards for failure to comply with collective redundancy obligations increases to a maximum of 180 days’ pay – previously it was 90 days’ pay.
8. Trade Union recognition process is simplified.

The following day heralds the launch of the Fair Work Agency which is tasked with enforcing workers’ rights.

 If you have any questions about these or any other worker rights and/or what your business can do to reduce the risks of a claim, please contact any member of the employment team.