The Make Work Pay Programme is a fixed-price, comprehensive package designed to help employers navigate the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act. With expert support and a structured 5-stage process, our programme helps your business stay compliant, minimise risks and adopt best practices in line with the new legislation.
What is the Employment Rights Act 2025?
The Employment Rights Act 2025 represents one of the most significant overhauls of UK employment law in over 30 years. After receiving Royal Assent in December 2025, the legislation introduces major changes to employment rights and employers' responsibilities, with reforms coming into force in stages.
Key reforms within the Employment Rights Act include:
- Unfair Dismissal Protection
- Enhanced Flexible Working Provisions
- Reforms to Zero-Hour Contracts
- Family-Related Leave Enhancements
- Statutory Sick Pay Reforms
- Fire-and-Rehire Protections
- Stronger Protections for Pregnant Women and New Mothers
- Stricter Workplace Harassment Prevention Obligations
The Act also introduces the Fair Work Agency to strengthen the enforcement of employment rights. Employers should understand how these changes affect their business and take the necessary steps to remain compliant with the new requirements.
What Does the Employment Rights Act 2025 Mean for Employers?
The Employment Rights Act introduces significant changes to UK employment law, bringing new responsibilities and requirements for employers.
Failure to comply could lead to:
- Costly Employment Tribunal Claims and Financial Penalties
- Increased Regulatory Scrutiny
- Reputational Damage
- Operational Challenges
Key Dates and Changes
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is being introduced in stages, with some changes already in force and further reforms scheduled throughout 2026 and 2027.
December 2025
- Repeal of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023
April 2026
- Statutory Sick Pay reforms
- Changes to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave
October 2026
- Extension of the time limit for bringing most Employment Tribunal claims from three to six months
- Stronger duties to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace
- Additional protections against third-party harassment
By the End of 2026
- Strengthened tipping laws
January 2027
- Reduction of the qualifying period for unfair dismissal from two years to six months
- Removal of the cap on compensatory awards for unfair dismissal
- New restrictions on fire-and-rehire practices
- Duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union
Further Changes Expected in 2027
- Guaranteed hours for zero-hours and low-hours workers
- Changes to flexible working rights
Concerned about the changes? Download our Free Impact Assessment
If you’re unsure how the changes to employment law could affect your business, our free Impact Assessment can help. By completing the assessment, you’ll gain valuable insights into potential compliance issues and identify areas where your business may need to take action to meet the new requirements.
The Make Work Pay Programme
The Make Work Pay Programme provides a structured, fixed-price solution to help businesses comply with the Employment Rights Act. Our 5-stage process is designed to support employers in adapting to the changes, managing potential risks and meeting their legal obligations. Delivered over a six-month period, the programme helps your business stay compliant and build strong employment practices for the future.
Benefits your business will gain from the programme:
- Stay ahead of changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act
- Mitigate risks of non-compliance and potential claims
- Align your policies, contracts, and practices with the latest legal requirements
- Implement effective recruitment and retention strategies
- Cultivate a workplace culture that embraces modern employment practices
Exclusive Discount for Peace of Mind Members
As a Peace of Mind member, you get an exclusive discount on our Make Work Pay Programme. Not yet a member? Find out more about our Peace of Mind service and how your business could benefit from ongoing employment law support.
The Programme's 5 Stages to Success
 | | Employment Rights Act Workshop Our programme begins with a half-day, in-person workshop providing a comprehensive overview of the Employment Rights Act and what it means for your business. During the session, we highlight key changes and practical steps employers need to take to stay compliant and minimise risk. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with other employers facing similar challenges. The workshop is led by our experienced HR Consultant, Cath Dixon. |
 | | Comprehensive HR Audit: Our team will meet with your HR manager or senior management team to conduct a thorough audit of your recruitment, induction and performance management processes. This lets us understand how your business operates and develop a tailored People Strategy Action Plan, helping you ensure you have the right people in the right roles at the right time, aligned with your business objectives. This stage includes a full day on-site, followed by a dedicated day to develop your action plan. |
 | | Documentation and Templates We provide a range of practical HR documents and templates that can be easily adapted to suit your business needs. These include recruitment tools, induction plans, probation review records and performance review templates. Each document is designed to help your team work efficiently and consistently, in line with HR best practices. |
 | | Manager Training: We deliver targeted training to your management team to help them understand the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act and how these affect their day-to-day responsibilities. This ensures your managers have the knowledge and confidence to manage workplace challenges and meet their legal obligations. |
 | | Ongoing Support: We provide ongoing HR support to help you implement your People Strategy Action Plan successfully and maintain effective employment practices. This includes reviewing progress against your action plan, providing practical HR advice and offering coaching and guidance to your HR team. |
Enquire about the Make Work Pay Programme Today
Is your business keeping up with the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act? Find out how our Make Work Pay Programme can help you stay compliant and manage the impact on your business. Get in touch with our Employment Law team today:
Phone: 023 8063 9311
Email: enquiries@warnergoodman.co.uk
If you're unsure how the changes to employment law could affect your business, download our free Impact Assessment to help identify potential compliance issues and areas where action may be needed.
Make Work Pay Programme FAQs
You may have questions about the Employment Rights Act 2025 or the Make Work Pay Programme. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you need further help, please don’t hesitate to contact our team on 023 8063 9311 or email enquiries@warnergoodman.co.uk.
Yes, the Make Work Pay Programme is designed for business owners, HR managers and senior leaders, regardless of their HR experience or qualifications.
The programme provides practical advice and support to help you understand the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act and what your business needs to do to remain compliant.
The programme covers a range of key topics, including:
- Changes to unfair dismissal rights
- Reforms to zero-hours contracts
- New limitations on contractual changes
- Changes to eligibility for family-related leave
- Changes to collective consultation requirements
- Enhanced flexible working rights
- Strategies for improving workplace culture and recruitment practices
These areas will help you understand the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act and implement them effectively in your business.
The programme is delivered through a combination of:
- Live seminars and events (both online and in-person)
- In-house training tailored to your team
- One-to-one strategy sessions with our HR and employment law experts
- Opportunities to collaborate with other employers and our HR and legal professionals
This approach ensures you receive practical, tailored support to help your business adapt to the changes and meet its legal obligations.
We understand that running a business comes with competing demands. The programme is designed to be flexible, with sessions arranged around your business needs wherever possible. Seminars and strategy sessions can also be tailored to minimise disruption to your day-to-day operations.
The Make Work Pay Programme helps your business stay up to date with the Employment Rights Act, meet its legal obligations and reduce the risk of non-compliance.
In addition to ensuring your policies and practices reflect the latest legal requirements, the programme helps you improve recruitment and retention strategies, strengthen your company values, and build a positive, productive workplace.
During these sessions, our HR and employment law specialists will review your existing people strategies, provide practical advice on recruitment and probation processes, and identify any changes needed to your workplace policies and practices.
We'll work with you to develop an approach that supports both your legal obligations and wider business objectives.
Yes, we provide practical HR templates, procedures and checklists that can be adapted to suit your business. These resources are designed to make it easier for your team to implement changes and maintain consistent HR practices.
Unlike traditional training, our programme combines expert legal and HR advice with practical support tailored to your business. Rather than simply explaining the legislation, we work with you to review your existing practices, identify areas for improvement and put the necessary changes into place.
The programme is available for a one-off, all-inclusive fee. Peace of Mind members also benefit from an exclusive £500 + VAT discount. For full pricing details, please contact our team on 023 8063 9311 or email enquiries@warnergoodman.co.uk.
Yes, UK-registered charities are eligible for an additional £250 discount on the Make Work Pay Programme.
Yes, our experts will work closely with you to ensure the programme is tailored to your industry, business size and specific challenges. This means the advice and support you receive will be relevant to your business and its needs.
Yes, as part of the programme, you'll have access to resources, updates and continued guidance to help your business respond to further developments in employment law and maintain effective HR practices.
Keeping up with employment law isn't just about avoiding legal risks. It's also about creating a workplace where your people feel supported, and your business can thrive.
Our Make Work Pay Programme provides the practical tools, expert advice, and ongoing support you need to manage the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act, improve your workplace practices, and support your business long term.
The Employment Rights Act is set to transform the world of work by 2027. To thrive under the new regulations, businesses must act now. We’re here to help you go beyond compliance and strengthen your people strategy - join our programme today.
Cath Dixon, HR Consultant and Founder of the Make Work Pay Programme. | | 
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