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ARTICLE · 16 JANUARY 2026

UK Employment Rights Act 2025: More Secure Work And Basic Employment Rights

A&O Shearman
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As we settle into 2026, many employers will be turning New Year intentions into action plans.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Sheila Fahy
Sheila Fahy
Felicity Gemson
Felicity Gemson
Jill Gracey
Jill Gracey
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As we settle into 2026, many employers will be turning New Year intentions into action plans.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 tops the HR legal to-do list for the year ahead, with significant strategic and operational work required across the coming 12–18 months.

Ourprevious blogoutlined the key upcoming changes. As promised, we have materials to help your organisation plan ahead.

Our firstEmployment Rights Act 2025 reference tablefocuses on changes that go right to the heart of the employment relationship: strengthening unfair dismissal protection and curbing unfair contractual arrangements and variations.

Unfair dismissal reform has dominated recent media coverage. In a U-turn during parliamentary ping-pong at the end of last year, the Government has replaced its proposed "day one" protection with a six-month qualifying period. At the eleventh hour, it also removed the unfair dismissal compensation cap, prompting widespread concern across the business

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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