AI Workflow Kit for Agency People & Ops · Law dates

GB employment law dates

The key Employment Rights Act 2025 dates for agency people and ops leads, as listed on page 34 of the kit.

Last checked: 20 October 2026

Great Britain only (England, Wales and Scotland). Most of the employment rights in the Act apply in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own employment law (legislation.gov.uk: Employment Rights Act 2025, s.158). This page is a summary, not legal advice.

Employment Rights Act 2025

Key dates

  1. 6 April 2026
    Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave become day-one rights. Statutory Sick Pay: lower earnings limit and waiting period removed.
    Source: GOV.UK: Employment Rights Act timeline
  2. 1 October 2026
    Employment tribunal time limits rise from 3 to 6 months for most claims (Scotland: contract claims from 9 November 2026).
    Source: GOV.UK: Employment Rights Act timeline
  3. 30 October 2026
    Employers must take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment, and must not permit harassment by third parties.
    Source: GOV.UK: Employment Rights Act timeline
  4. January 2027
    Unfair dismissal qualifying period falls to 6 months (for dismissals from 1 January 2027) and the compensatory award cap is removed. Fire and rehire protections. Duty to tell workers of their right to join a trade union.
    Source: GOV.UK: Employment Rights Act timeline
  5. 2027 (dates TBC)
    Changes to flexible working; bereavement leave, including pregnancy loss; mandatory gender equality and menopause action plans; stronger protections for pregnant women; guaranteed hours; limits on NDAs.
    Source: GOV.UK: Employment Rights Act timeline
  6. Date not announced
    A revised Acas Code on disciplinary and grievance (consultation closed 23 September 2026). As now, tribunals will be able to adjust awards by up to 25% where the Code is unreasonably not followed. The draft says informal handling is usually best.
    Source: Acas: draft Code consultation · Acas: draft Code text

GOV.UK: "All future dates remain subject to parliamentary processes and may change." Check the timeline before relying on any date. If a date changes, we update this page and email everyone who bought the kit.

Where to get help

Take advice before you act.

  • Acas: Free, impartial advice on employment rights and the Acas Code. Helpline details on the contact page. acas.org.uk/contact
  • A solicitor: For advice on your situation. England and Wales: Law Society. Scotland: Law Society of Scotland. solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk · lawscot.org.uk
  • HMRC CEST: Check employment status for tax, for freelancers and IR35. gov.uk/guidance/check-employment-status-for-tax
  • ICO: Data protection guidance, including employment, recruitment and AI. ico.org.uk
  • NABS: Wellbeing support for people in advertising and media. Advice Line 0800 707 6607. nabs.org.uk
  • CIPD: Guidance on preparing your organisation for AI use. cipd.org

Preparing a policy change, a difficult conversation or a hiring round? The AI Workflow Kit for Agency People & Ops has 32 careful prompts for the jobs around these changes. £39 launch price until 30 November 2026, then £49.

Spotted a change before we did? Email hello@inkbyte.co.uk.