The Employment Rights Bill has been delayed, so what does that mean for businesses?

The Employment Rights Bill didn't get Royal Assent before summer recess as expected, but that might actually be good news for businesses. I'm back with employment law expert Paul Chamberlain to break down the government's newly published roadmap and what it means for the recruitment sector.

We dive deep into why the House of Lords amendments matter, particularly around unfair dismissal rights from day one, and explore the staggered implementation timeline that now stretches to 2027. Paul explains the complexities around zero hours contracts, guaranteed hours provisions, and how these changes could fundamentally alter recruitment business models.

The discussion covers upcoming consultations, the new Fair Work agency launching in 2026, statutory sick pay changes, and the potential unintended consequences of forcing guaranteed hours contracts. We also touch on fire and rehire provisions, sexual harassment law changes, and the significant trade union measures tucked into this bill.

Can Labour deliver on their manifesto promises while keeping businesses viable? The roadmap suggests they're finally listening to industry concerns, but the devil remains in the detail.

“You can't deal with this unless clients are educated” – Paul Chamberlain

You'll Hear About:

• Employment Rights Bill stalled in House of Lords
• Government roadmap extends implementation to 2027
• Day one unfair dismissal rights consultation coming
• Zero hours contracts and guaranteed hours provisions
• Economic pressures forcing government policy changes
• Fair Work agency launching April 2026
• Statutory sick pay changes from day one
• Fire and rehire provisions being refined
• Sexual harassment law strengthening requirements
• Trade union measures and balloting changes
• Umbrella company regulation delayed until 2027
• Client conversations essential for agency preparation

About Paul Chamberlain:

JMW Solicitors - https://www.jmw.co.uk/

Paul on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chamberlainpaul/

JMW on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jmw_solicitors/

JMW on X - https://www.twitter.com/jmwsolicitors

JMW on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jmwsolicitors/

JMW on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jmwsolicitors/?originalSubdomain=uk

My resources:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/

Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/

Orca Pay Group on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/orcapaygroup/?hl=en