Upcoming
changes
What are the upcoming changes?
As a result of the Employment Rights Bill, certain changes are expected to come into effect in 2026 – a key one being the introduction of unfair dismissal protection as a day one right.
Currently, an individual will only qualify for general unfair dismissal protection after being employed for 2 years (and, as such, has limited rights to bring a claim in the first 2 years of employment).
The Government intends to introduce basic individual rights from day one to all employees (ending the current system that leaves employees waiting up to 2 years to access basic rights, including protection against unfair dismissal).
The Government has estimated that this change alone will entitle an additional nine million employees to bring unfair dismissal claims.
Once this change is live, we expect to see:
A significant increase in the number of Employment Tribunal claims brought.
A substantial increase in the number of individuals and existing workers commencing ACAS Early Conciliation.
Organisations ensuring fairness and correct methods of dismissing an employee in the first two years of their employment.
Ever more claimants representing themselves in employment tribunal claims.