Employment Rights Bill: What It Means for Healthcare Practices and How to Prepare
Toni Harper
Senior Marketing Lead - Dental
The Employment Rights Bill is set to bring sweeping changes to UK employment law, with phased reforms rolling out from April 2026 through to 2027. For independent dental and veterinary practices, understanding and preparing for these changes is essential to remain compliant and support your team effectively.
This guide breaks down what’s coming and how to prepare. And with iTeam, Agilio’s expert HR software and support solution, you won’t have to navigate these changes alone.
Key Changes to Watch:
- April 2026 – Phase 1:
- Day-One Paternity & Parental Leave: Update leave policies and inform staff.
- Statutory Sick Pay Reform: Remove waiting days and lower earnings limit; adjust payroll systems.
- Fair Work Agency Launch: Centralised support for employment rights.
- Expanded Whistleblower Protections: Train managers and update policies.
- Electronic Balloting for Industrial Action: Update union engagement protocols.
- October 2026 – Phase 2:
- Ban on Fire and Rehire: Mandatory consultation before contract changes.
- Extended Tribunal Claim Period: From 3 to 6 months post-termination.
- Sexual Harassment Protections: Employers must take all reasonable steps.
- Agency Worker Rights: Guaranteed hours based on a 12-week reference.
- 2027 – Phase 3:
- Day-One Protection from Unfair Dismissal: Review probation and performance management policies.
- Enhanced Protections for Pregnant Workers: Six months post-return.
- Bereavement Leave Becomes Statutory.
- Flexible Working Access Expanded.
What You Should Do Now:
- Review contracts and policies: Especially around leave, dismissal, and performance.
- Start performance reviews and probation planning: Prepare for day-one dismissal protections.
- Budget for cost implications: Factor in changes to sick pay and leave entitlements.
- Stay informed: Use trusted HR platforms like iTeam to stay ahead of updates.
These reforms aim to make work fairer and more secure. By acting early, dental and veterinary practices can ensure compliance, reduce risk, and foster a supportive workplace culture.
Stay on track with new policies and legislation – let iTeam do the heavy lifting.
If you’re an iTeam member using our HR policies, you don’t need to make these updates yourself – we’ll do the work for you! You’ll receive a notification when the updates are ready and all you need to do is review and adopt them.
Not using iTeam yet?
Discover how it can support your business and simplify policy management by visiting our dedicated page, just click here or use the button below to learn more.
iTeam helps dental and veterinary practices simplify HR and policy management with powerful, intuitive software.
Dental teams also benefit from expert HR support and ready-to-use resources — giving them extra confidence in staying compliant.
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