UK Government Details Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap

The UK Government has released a detailed roadmap for the Employment Rights Bill, signaling a significant overhaul of workplace laws with a phased implementation plan extending through 2027. Key early reforms include repeal of recent trade union restrictions, introduction of day-one protection against unfair dismissal, expanded parental leave, and a duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment. The Government plans consultations through 2025 and early 2026 to refine the changes, addressing business concerns over the scale and speed of reforms. Employers are urged to update policies, train managers, and prepare systems, especially larger organizations which must begin collecting gender pay gap and menopause data ahead of new reporting obligations. Meanwhile, debates continue around asylum seekers’ rights to work legally in the UK, with calls to align UK policy with European counterparts by allowing work after six months to boost economic benefits and integration. This ongoing focus on employment rights and labor market inclusion highlights the evolving landscape of UK labor policy in 2025.