Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 25 NOVEMBER 2024

Employment Rights Bill Unpacked: Just Getting Started For Family Rights?

Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Contributor
Lewis Silkin

Lewis Silkin

Joint managing partners: Jo Farmer, Richard Miskella International offices: Dublin, Hong Kong...

View firm profile
Explore more from Lewis Silkin

The Employment Rights Bill introduces modest updates to family leave, including bereavement leave, day-one parental leave rights, and strengthened dismissal protections, with plans for broader parental leave system reforms.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Emily Atkinson
Emily Atkinson
Author LinkedIn connections

The Employment Rights Bill introduced some changes to family rights, including a new right to bereavement leave and plans to strengthen protections for pregnant women and new parents returning to work. But is the government just getting started?

One of Labour's election promises was to make work more family friendly. They promised to introduce a baseline set of family-friendly rights to improve employee wellbeing, as well as productivity at work. The Bill partially addresses this by introducing changes to the flexible working regime (which we discuss here). There is also a raft of other measures aimed at improving family friendly rights. These are far from ground-breaking but, perhaps more significantly, the government have also promised a review of the parental leave system entirely.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

UK Right To Work Checks: What Changes On 1 October 2026

The UK's right-to-work regime is undergoing a fundamental transformation that will extend compliance obligations far beyond traditional employment relationships. From 1 October 2026, businesses engaging contractors, agency workers, platform-based workers, and complex supply chains will face new liability risks that travel up entire contracting chains. Understanding these changes and implementing the required contractual terms, substitution controls, and identity verification systems is now critical for orga
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Article

Employment Case Law Update | Autumn 2026 – Unfair Dismissal, Equal Pay And Discrimination

Recent UK employment law decisions have reshaped how employers must approach part-time worker protection, philosophical belief discrimination, freedom of speech in academic settings, and equal pay claims. These landmark cases establish new precedents for workplace policies, disciplinary procedures, and compensation structures that could significantly impact organizational practices.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Article

Prevention Of Illegal Working — Key Changes Taking Effect 1 October 2026

The UK's illegal working regime has undergone its most significant expansion since inception, extending right to work obligations beyond traditional employment to encompass workers, individual subcontractors, and platform-based arrangements. A new "extended liability" framework now exposes businesses throughout supply chains to civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, even where they lack direct contractual relationships.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

Acas Publishes Fully Revised Draft Code Of Practice On Disciplinary And Grievance Procedures

On 30 July 2026, Acas published a fully revised draft Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures, marking the first comprehensive update since 2015. The proposed changes introduce significant new requirements around informal resolution, reasonable adjustments for disabled workers, and updated guidance on suspension, mediation, and the right to be accompanied at workplace meetings.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
Article

Revised Earned Settlement Policy To Be Unveiled Before The End Of 2026

The UK Home Secretary has confirmed that the revised earned settlement policy will be published before the end of 2026, following her appearance before the Home Affairs Committee. This announcement provides clarity on the timeline for implementing significant changes to the UK immigration system, including transitional arrangements and the extension of the default settlement period from five to ten years.
United KingdomImmigration
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Article

Immigration Changes Announced In Autumn 2026 Budget

The UK government has announced significant changes to its immigration system in the Autumn 2026 budget, including modifications to Skilled Worker salary requirements, extended curtailment periods for highly skilled workers, and expansions to the High Potential Individual and Global Talent visa routes. These reforms aim to create Europe's most pro-business migration system for highly skilled workers while introducing new complexities around visa curtailment and graduate route permissions.
United KingdomImmigration
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Article

Summary Of Autumn 2026 Immigration Rule Changes

The UK Home Office has introduced significant changes to its Immigration Rules, including new protections for Skilled Worker visa holders who are victims of modern slavery, measures to prevent abuse of fee waiver processes, and updates to support the UK's participation in Erasmus+ from January 2027. These changes also expand permitted activities for visitors coming to the UK for training or creative purposes.
United KingdomImmigration
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Article

What The 2026 Policy Address Means For Employers In Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Chief Executive has unveiled sweeping employment law reforms in the 2026 Policy Address, introducing statutory protections for delivery workers, tightening imported labour controls, and accelerating MPF system changes. These measures reflect the Government's commitment to protecting local workers while addressing the challenges of an ageing workforce and evolving labour market dynamics.
Hong KongEmployment and HR
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Article

Hong Kong Increases Minimum Allowable Wage For Foreign Domestic Workers

The Hong Kong Government has announced a 2.35% increase in the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic workers, raising it from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220 per month effective October 2026. This adjustment follows the government's annual review considering economic performance, labour market conditions, and stakeholder input, with specific implementation timelines for new and existing employment contracts.
Hong KongEmployment and HR
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Article

You're Owed Money. Now What? – A Practical Guide To Debt Recovery In Hong Kong

Hong Kong's debt recovery landscape has become increasingly challenging, with corporate insolvencies rising 45% in 2025 and bankruptcy petitions climbing to over 10,000. This comprehensive guide explores the legal pathways available to creditors, from initial demand letters to enforcement mechanisms, and examines when civil litigation versus insolvency proceedings may be the most effective strategy for recovering outstanding debts.
Hong KongInsolvency/Bankruptcy/Re-Structuring
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Article

Hong Kong Cracks Down On Unpaid Wages With Director Sentencing

A Hong Kong director was sentenced to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay HK$93,000 in outstanding wages after her companies failed to pay employees on time. The case demonstrates that corporate officers can face serious criminal liability, including fines up to HK$350,000 and three years' imprisonment, when employment law breaches occur with their consent, connivance, or neglect.
Hong KongEmployment and HR
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin