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ERA 2025 compliance checklist

Quick compliance checklist for employers to identify which Employment Rights Act 2025 changes affect their business and by when. Covers SSP, family leave, zero-hours, dismissal, harassment, and tribunal time limits.

Running a Business Updated 15 September 2026
5 milestones references 4 guides

Employment Rights Act 2025: Quick compliance check

Use this checklist to identify which ERA 2025 changes affect your business and assess your readiness. The Act introduces 28 significant employment reforms with implementation phased through 2026 and 2027.

Time needed: 10 minutes to complete.

  1. April 2026 changes

    These provisions take effect on 6 April 2026 - approximately 10 weeks away. Check your readiness:

    Statutory Sick Pay reforms

    Statutory Sick Pay changes from April 2026

    Detailed guidance on SSP changes and payroll requirements

    Family leave day-one rights

    Family leave day-one rights 2026

    Checklist for implementing day-one paternity, parental, and bereavement leave

    Trade union notification

    Fair Work Agency

  2. Zero-hours contract reforms (2026)

    These changes take effect during 2026 (exact date via regulations). Check if you use zero-hours or low-hours contracts:

    Zero-hours contracts: new employer obligations

    How to comply with guaranteed hours and shift notice requirements

  3. October 2026 changes

    These provisions take effect on 1 October 2026:

    Fire and rehire restrictions

    Third-party harassment

    Tribunal time limits

  4. January 2027 changes

    These provisions take effect on 1 January 2027:

    Unfair dismissal qualifying period

  5. Large employer requirements (250+ employees)

    These apply to employers with 250+ employees (from 2027):

Results and next steps

Any unchecked items?

If you have unchecked items above, prioritise action based on deadlines:

  1. Immediate priority: April 2026 items (SSP, day-one rights, FWA)
  2. Medium term: October 2026 items (fire and rehire, harassment, tribunals)
  3. Longer term: January 2027 items (unfair dismissal, action plans)

Employment Rights Act 2025: what employers need to know

Complete overview of all ERA 2025 changes and implementation timeline

ERA 2025 comprehensive guide

45-60 minute walkthrough of all reforms (learning path)

Useful resources

acas.org.uk

ACAS guidance on ERA 2025 (opens in a new tab)

Official ACAS guidance on Employment Rights Act 2025

gov.uk

Gov.uk Make Work Pay (opens in a new tab)

Government collection of Make Work Pay guidance

legislation.gov.uk

Employment Rights Act 2025 (legislation) (opens in a new tab)

Full text of the Act