EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES

/in /by

DAY ONE RIGHTS FOR:

  • PARENTAL LEAVE
  • PATERNITY LEAVE

FROM APRIL 2026

Section 15 of the new Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the one-year qualifying period for unpaid parental leave, extending it to all employees as a day-one right. Section 16 similarly eliminates the 26-week qualifying period for paternity leave. However, the statutory paternity pay requirements remain unchanged with their existing conditions including a 26-week qualifying period of employment.

The government estimates the changes will enable an additional 32,000 fathers to access paternity leave, while approximately 1.5 million working parents will gain access to parental leave arrangements, providing greater flexibility for childcare responsibilities.