The UK Government has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of employment rights, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declaring the changes will put "dignity back at the heart of work". Central to the reforms is a new right for parents to take unpaid parental leave from their very first day in a job, a move ministers say will grant an additional 1.5 million parents greater flexibility to share childcare.
Key Provisions of the Employment Rights Act
The landmark legislation, which received Royal Assent in December 2025, is set to be formally laid in Parliament on Monday, 12 January 2026. Alongside the day-one parental leave provision, the Act introduces several other significant protections. Statutory sick pay will also become a day-one right, and zero-hour contracts will be banned outright.
In a particularly compassionate measure, bereaved partners will gain extended paternity leave rights from April 2026. Fathers or partners who lose their partner before their child's first birthday will now be eligible for up to 52 weeks of leave, offering crucial support during an unimaginably difficult time.
Government and Union Backing for Worker Protections
In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer framed the reforms as essential support for working families. "This is about giving working families the support they need to balance work, health and the cost of living," the Prime Minister said. He emphasised the package delivers "stronger sick pay, parental leave from day one, and protections that put dignity back at the heart of work."
Business Secretary Peter Kyle echoed this, stating, "No one should have to worry about whether they can take time off when their baby arrives, or lose pay simply because they’ve fallen ill." The Trades Union Congress (TUC) welcomed the changes, with General Secretary Paul Nowak saying the Act "will deliver vital common-sense reforms for millions" and bring Britain in line with worker protections in other countries.
Criticism and Economic Impact
The reforms have not been without controversy. The Conservative opposition has levelled strong criticism at the legislation. Andrew Griffith MP, the Shadow Business and Trade Secretary, argued the 330-page bill "piles on red tape" and risks dragging small businesses into tribunals. "This is an Unemployment Bill that will destroy jobs, not protect them," Griffith stated, claiming surveys show employers are already holding back on hiring due to the changes.
The Government had initially aimed for a broader right to claim unfair dismissal from day one but compromised, now intending to introduce this right after six months of service to ensure the bill's passage. The Department for Business and Trade estimates that around 390,000 people are currently out of work due to caring responsibilities but wish to be employed, highlighting the potential economic impact of the new flexibility.
