July 15, 2024
| Expected Change | Latest Update | Key Dates |
| Day One Unfair Dismissal Rights | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Government has said not to expect change in law to be in force before autumn 2026. |
| Changing Worker Status | Not yet taken forward in Employment Rights Bill. Government has confirmed will be taken forward but will require much more detailed consultation first. | No dates known yet. |
| Changing Zero-Hour Contracts/Right to Minimum Working Hours | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Likely to be in 2026. |
| Employment Tribunal Claims | Not yet taken forward in Employment Rights Bill. | Not yet known |
| The Right to Disconnect | Government has confirmed this will now be dealt with by way of a code of practice/statutory guidance, instead of legislation. | Code of practice expected in 2025. |
| Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment | Brought into force on 26 October 2024, including stronger duty to safeguard employees from harassment by third parties, but likely to be further strengthened by Labour Government in due course. | Likely to be in 2025. Find out if your business is ready for the change here |
| Ending Fire and Re-Hire | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Likely to be in 2026. |
| Pay | Confirmed being taken forward separately by way of new terms of reference for Low Pay Commission.
Now confirmed the national minimum/living wage will have to take account of inflation and median earnings in the UK |
National minimum/living wage due to change in April 2025. Further changes to be phased in over next 3 years to bring rate for 18-20 year olds in line with 21 and overs. |
| Statutory right to equal pay for ethnic minority employees and those with disabilities | Confirmed will be brought to Parliament in draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill – now going out to consultation. | Draft bill expected in next 12 months. |
| Disability/Ethnicity Pay Gap Reporting | Confirmed will be brought to Parliament in draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill – now going out to consultation. | Draft bill expected in next 12 months. |
| Trade Union Rights: Especially the Duty to Inform | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Likely to be in 2026. |
| Right to Bereavement Leave | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Likely to be in 2026. |
| Parental Leave from Day 1 | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Likely to be in 2026. |
| Collective Grievances | No update yet | Not yet known |
| Making flexible working (or a strengthened right to request it) “the default” | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Likely to be in 2026. |
| Extending protection from redundancy for new mothers | Proposals now set out in Employment Rights Bill on 10th October 2024 and now going to public consultation. | Likely to be in 2026. |
Our employment lawyers can offer advice and direction for any employers who are concerned about what they should be doing next. Contact us on 029 2082 9100 or via our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help you.
