Navigating the Employment Rights Bill 2025
What’s changing, what it means for your business, and what to do next
Here’s your handy guide to the UK’s most significant employment law shift in a generation.
The Employment Rights Bill 2025 will change how businesses deal with people, policies, and legal risk, from daily HR decisions to long-term workforce strategy.
Why this matters to you
The Employment Rights Bill marks a step change in how employment rights are defined and enforced:
• Enhanced protections for employees mean increased legal risk, especially around dismissal, redundancy, harassment and changing contractual terms.
• Workforce structures will need updating, particularly around zero-hours, flexibility, trade unions and agency staff.
• HR teams will need time, clarity, and practical support to keep policies, contracts, and processes compliant.
What you need to do now
With some changes expected to take effect from Autumn 2025, now’s the time for you to act:
• Get ready to review your current contracts and policies, especially around family-related leave, dismissal, and flexible work.
• Equip managers and HR with focused training and decision-making tools.
• Stay close to ongoing Government consultations and regulatory guidance.
• Help shape the new laws by joining Make UK’s engagement with Government, including our consultation response work. Employers like you still have a voice; your feedback could influence what ultimately comes into force.
What’s changing and when
The Government has confirmed that the reforms will be rolled out in phases.
Use the roadmap to plan ahead and stay on top as each stage comes into force.
Understand what each reform means for you
We’ve broken down the key changes into Spotlight Guides focusing on specific areas so you can understand what’s shifting, who it affects, and where to take action. Explore the series below and start preparing now:
Need support with the upcoming legal changes?
Whether you’re already getting support from us, or you're just starting to explore your options, we’re here to help you plan for the Employment Rights Bill changes and protect your business.
Already getting support from Make UK?
You’ll receive updates from us as the legal changes come in, so you can stay compliant and up to date.
Detailed HR and employment law guidance, template policies and letters can also be found in the HR & Legal Resources section of our website.
If you’ve got questions or need advice, your Make UK legal adviser is here to help. And if you need hands-on support with any projects as you prepare for the changes, our HR and legal consultants can work with you too.
You can also shape future policy. We speak regularly with Government and feed into consultations, using input from businesses like yours.
New to Make UK?
You don’t have to face the changes alone. Whether you need quick input or ongoing support, we can help you however works best for your business.
One-off, practical support
If you want focused help to get ready for the changes:
• Project support: Hands-on help from our HR and legal consultants to get the right steps in place and stay compliant.
• Right track review (coming soon): A focused, in-business audit with clear, practical steps to keep you compliant.
• ERB hotline (coming soon): Real-time access to legal specialists when you need quick answers about the Employment Rights Bill.
Ongoing employment law and HR support
For longer-term support, our retained service includes:
• Direct access to employment law experts.
• Regularly updated HR policies and templates.
• Advice for day-to-day issues and bigger picture planning.
• The chance to help shape Government policy.
Upcoming Employment Law Update
Join our Employment Law team this autumn, either in person between 30 September and 15 October or online on 22 October. We'll break down the latest employment law rulings, explain what they mean for your business, and highlight the legislation you can't afford to miss, including a close look at the Employment Rights Bill.
Not sure what you need?
Call 0808 168 5874 or fill out the form and we’ll get in touch.
Want to connect more deeply with the sector?
As a member of Make UK, you will get access to expert insights, events, industry connections, and a direct line to policymakers. You’ll be part of a national network focused on strengthening UK manufacturing. Learn more about what membership includes.