New elements of Employment Rights Act 2025 implemented
On 30 October 2026, further measures from the Employment Rights Act 2025 concerning harassment and trade union rights took effect.
4 Nov 2026
On 30 October 2026, further measures from the Employment Rights Act 2025 concerning harassment and trade union rights took effect.
These reforms are part of the government's Plan to Make Work Pay which is being delivered in phases to give employers, businesses and workers time to prepare.
The harassment measures included requiring employees to take 'all reasonable steps' to prevent sexual harassment of their employees including by third parties.
Additional powers were also given to trade unions including strengthening their rights of access and extending protections against detriments for taking industrial action.
However, the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has warned that issues may be caused as insufficient guidance has been issued to employers. For example, employers are still waiting for confirmation from the Government on practicalities around union access.
Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the BCC, said:
'Businesses urgently need clarity on the new trade union access regulations, which have come into force today.
'They have been given no guidance on how to apply them, which limits their understanding of how the rules will operate in practice...
'If the government is set on introducing these new systems, then it needs to make it as easy possible for business to get onboard. The current approach is doing the exact opposite.'
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