UK employers are entering the next phase of the Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms, with further legal changes taking effect from 6 April 2026, followed immediately by the launch of the Fair Work Agency on 7 April 2026.
Preparation should not be left until the last minute.
What’s Changing?
The government’s employment law reforms continue from 6 April 2026, bringing in a number of important changes for employers, alongside a new approach to enforcement.
These changes include:
These changes are not minor updates. They affect:
Understanding what applies to your business and acting before the changes take effect is the most important step employers can take right now.
From 6 April:
Waiting until after the deadline could leave your business exposed, disorganised, or struggling to react once the new rules are live.
A major development for UK employers is the launch of the Fair Work Agency (FWA) on 7 April 2026. The new agency will bring together enforcement of key employment rights into one place, making support and enforcement more joined up for both workers and employers.
This is not just another regulator.
The Fair Work Agency will bring together enforcement across areas including:
This marks a clear shift in how employment rights will be monitored and enforced.
For employers, the key message is simple: it is no longer enough to assume your processes are fine. You need to be able to show that your records, documents and people processes are accurate, current and consistently applied.
What Should Employers Be Doing Now?
✔ Review employment contracts
✔ Update core HR policies
✔ Check sickness, leave and family-related processes
✔ Ensure managers understand the April changes
✔ Confirm employee records and documentation are accurate and accessible
✔ Make sure your HR systems reflect current legal requirements
Preparation now reduces disruption, protects your business, and puts you in a stronger position as enforcement becomes more visible and more centralised.
Staying ahead of employment law is not optional — but it is far easier when your people processes are organised, up to date and easy to manage.
Join 9,000+ companies who are working smarter than ever before.
I'm ready, let's goSetup is really simple, and only takes a few minutes. You'll be guided through the process, step-by-step — and in no time at all you'll have your first employee added to your account.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, our friendly team will be happy to assist. Our comprehensive Help Centre is available too, with guides to all aspects of the platform.
WorkSmarter is loved by SMEs around the world. We're constantly innovating and releasing new features, with the aim of creating a delightful experience for users. Join thousands of other modern companies using WorkSmarter to grow their businesses.
WorkSmarter provides a wide range of HR tools to help companies grow and manage their staff. Our upgraded plans unlock access to many more HR services, ready to help you grow your business.
Register now, and you'll be up and running in no time.
Just fill out the fields below, and we'll set up your account.
