Employment Rights Bill Roadmap: SSP Changes From April 2026
The Employment Rights Bill roadmap confirms SSP reform from April 2026. If you're an employer, then take a look to see if your policies, budgets and systems align with the new rules. Wider measures will follow through 2026 and beyond ... Employment rights bill, Protecting workers' freedom, Fairness for all souls The Employment Rights Bill roadmap has arrived, and the headline for many is Statutory Sick Pay reform from April 2026. It signals a practical shift: broadened eligibility and faster support for workers, plus real operational implications for employers. What's confirmed and why does it matter?From April 2026, statutory sick pay will no longer have a lower earnings limit, and the waiting period will be removed. In plain terms, more workers will qualify, and payment will start from the first qualifying day of absence. This aligns sick pay with the reality of modern work, including irregular hours and multiple jobs, and should help reduce presenteeism for lower-paid staff who previously fell outside eligibility.Employers will need to update sickness policies, handbooks, contracts and payroll rules to reflect day-one SSP and universal eligibility. Absence management processes should be recalibrated to maintain fairness and control costs while supporting health. Financial modelling will be important here: forecast your SSP exposure, review insurance, and consider how occupational sick pay interacts with the new baseline. Transparent communication with your managers and staff will reduce confusion and support a smooth transition. For multi-entity or unionised organisations, engage early to coordinate a consistent rollout and avoid unintended discrepancies. The April 2026 change also introduces day-one paternity and unpaid parental leave, expanded whistleblowing protections, and the establishment of a 'fair work agency'. Alongside the SSP change, these measures sit within a broader effort under the Employment Rights Bill to strengthen security and fairness at work. October 2026 brings further steps on preventing harassment and regulating practices such as fire-and-rehire, with additional reforms from 2027 on flexible working, zero-hours certainty, and enhanced protections for parents and carers. SSP reform may increase short-term costs, particularly |
Share the blog love ... | |||||||||||||||||||||||
#EmploymentRightsBill #SSP #UKEmploymentLaw #HR #Payroll #WorkplaceWellbeing |
About Roger Eddowes ... | ||
|
More blog posts for you to enjoy ... | ||
![]() | HICBC: New process for paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge The High Income Child Benefit Charge can now be paid via PAYE. No more self assessment just for HICBC, if eligible. Here's how the rules, thresholds and practical steps work ...... | |
![]() | Understanding Tax On Pensions Without The Jargon Here's a clear guide to tax on pensions, from allowances to lump sums and tax codes. It also covers savings, dividends, and side income. No fuss, just the essentials ...... | |
![]() | Can HMRC Take Money From Your Bank Account Without Permission? Wondering if HMRC can take money from your bank account without permission? Yes - sometimes, under strict rules and safeguards. Here's how it works, what to expect, and how to protect your finances ...... | |
![]() | Tax Resistance Threatens Reeves' Strategy As Patience Wears Thin Tax resistance is building as households and firms hit their limits. Reeves' strategy risks faltering without a credible quid pro quo. A reset on spending and growth may be unavoidable ...... | |
![]() | Simple Assessment Payment Plans: Apply Online To Spread Your HMRC Tax Bill Here's how simple assessment payment plans work and who qualifies. Taxpayers can apply online to spread tax bills, with interest still charged. It's quick, practical, and often penalty-friendly ...... | |
![]() | CPI inflation rise to 3.8%: what it means for the UK Here are my thoughts on the CPI inflation rise to 3.8% and why it matters to both business and consumers. Prices are heating up before likely cooling off in a few months. Small firms should prep for volatility and policy shif... | |
![]() | Speculation Over the Autumn Budget 2025: What Might Be Announced? Here's a quick take on the Autumn Budget 2025. Expect debate over borrowing, tax changes, and what HMRC may tweak, with winners and losers likely. Keep plans flexible while the chancellor weighs government spending needs ...... | |
![]() | Evidence Needed For Every Pension Tax Relief Claim From September 2025 As of 1st of September 2025, every Pension Tax Relief claim now needs evidence and can't be made by phone. Claims must be made online or by post, with self-assessment via the return. Here's what to provide and who can claim, ... |
Other bloggers you may like ... | ||
![]() | From Inbox to Impact: Turn Emails into Trust-Building Blog Posts Posted by Steffi Lewis on https://www.sblogit.com You can go from inbox to impact by quickly and easily turning repetitive emails into weekly blog posts with sBlogIt! done-for-you blogging service. We ... | |
![]() | The Importance Of Being Earnest Posted by Pritesh Ganatra on https://blog.btsuk.net I still believe in the notion that 'people buy from people', however, we seem to be in a world where people are being pressured into buying technology ... | |
![]() | The DIY business health check: See What's Really Going On Posted by Steph Birch on https://blog.birchstrategicservices.com Here's a DIY business health check to surface real bottlenecks fast. Skip the theatre and find the friction. Every growing firm needs a clear view of ... | |
![]() | Download an Anti-Money Laundering package that actually helps! Posted by Alison Mead on https://blog.siliconbullet.com Want Anti-Money Laundering made simple? My updated AML package offers templates, checklists, and practical tips that slot straight into your workflow. ... |