Employment Rights Bill Roadmap: SSP Changes From April 2026

CREATED BY ROGER EDDOWES Published: 21/08/2025 @ 09:01AM #EmploymentRightsBill #SSP #UKEmploymentLaw #HR #Payroll #WorkplaceWellbeing

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
for sectors with variable-hours staff!

However, it can also reduce turnover, improve trust, and support early recovery, which limits long absences. Employers who align absence policies, health support, and workforce planning with the Employment Rights Bill roadmap can turn compliance into a productivity gain.

Sensible measures you may want to look at include manager training on early intervention, signposting to wellbeing support, and data-led monitoring of absence patterns to refine interventions without discouraging legitimate use.

The government has committed to publishing guidance ahead of actual implementation, so it would be sensible for you to:

• assess impact,
• update policy,
• reconfigure systems,
• train,
• communicate,
• audit.

Keep an eye on draft regulations, especially any technical definitions and transitional rules, as building readiness now will ensure you meet the letter and spirit of the Employment Rights Bill while maintaining operational stability.

The Employment Rights Bill sets a clear direction: from April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay becomes more inclusive and immediate.

Employers who prepare now will be best placed to support their people.

Until next time ...

ROGER EDDOWES
Join our mailing list! Click here and be one of the first to know when we publish a new blog post!

Share the blog love ...

Buffer Facebook Twitter Linkedin Pinterest WhatsApp #EmploymentRightsBill #SSP #UKEmploymentLaw #HR #Payroll #WorkplaceWellbeing

About Roger Eddowes ...
Roger trained at Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons in Market Harborough before working at Hartwell & Co, followed by Chancery, as a partner. He started Essendon Accounts and Tax with Helen Beaumont in 2014 as a general practitioner with a hands-on approach. Roger loves getting his hands dirty, working with emerging, small-to-medium and family businesses to ensure they receive the best possible accountancy advice. Roger utilises an extensive network of business contacts to leverage the best guidance and practical solutions.

More blog posts for you to enjoy ...
		A new tax year is here, and with it comes a raft of changes The start of the new tax year in April 2026 has brought a wave of changes, but for business owners and the self-employed, this isn't just background noise; it directly affects how you operate, report and plan ......
		Rising costs, slowing growth: How war is hitting the UK economy right now The risks of war to the UK economy are very real; they can quickly impact energy bills, inflation, and business confidence. My blog post today explains why both businesses and households should care, and why a fragile economy...
		Statutory Sick Pay changes: What both employers and employees need to know Statutory Sick Pay is changing this month to make SSP easier to access and faster to receive. More low-paid employees will qualify, and payment will start from the first full day off sick. Employers will need to update payrol...
		Companies House accounts filing changes are paused for now Companies House accounts filing changes are on hold for now, so there is no need to rush into new software for the paused April 2027 plans. However, identity checks, fees and the CATO closure are still moving ahead, so keep a...
		Penalties for MTD for Income Tax become clearer for 2026 From what I've read, penalties for MTD for Income Tax are starting to look much less mysterious. The main message is simple: you get a penalty if you miss a filing deadline, collect points, and pay late if the tax is overdue....
		Why global oil prices matter more to your business than you think When most people hear about rising oil prices on the news, it's easy to switch off and go and do something more interesting instead. It can feel distant, global, and not particularly relevant to day-to-day business life. But ...
		Companies House data glitch: How businesses can check records The Companies House data glitch has left many wondering whether their records have been changed. The safest move is to review filings, confirm details, and report anything unusual quickly. A calm check now can prevent bigger ...
		How to identify fake invoices and protect your cashflow from fraud This week's blog post is a guide on how to identify fake invoices. They always show the small clues that catch big scams. I'll cover verification habits, process controls, and what to do if money has already moved. Think prac...

Other bloggers you may like ...
		10 reasons YourPCM is the small business CRM you'll actually use Posted by Steffi Lewis on https://www.yourpcm.uk Choosing a CRM can feel like a big decision, especially when so many systems promise everything but end up being overly complicated, expensive, or sim ...
		Start the new tax year right: Stay on top of your side hustle records Posted by Alison Mead on https://blog.siliconbullet.com As we step into a new tax year, it's the perfect moment to reset, reorganise and get yourself one step ahead, especially if you have a side hustle, fr ...
		From idea to publication: How sBlogIt! creates your content for you Posted by Steffi Lewis on https://www.sblogit.com If blogging continues to fall further down your to-do list, you're not alone. Running a business always demands priority, and turning ideas into consi ...
		The art of outsourcing your visibility so you can get on with running your business Posted by Jacky Sherman on https://www.jackysherman.com After years of working as a coach, mentor, and referral marketing specialist, one of the most common conversations I've had with my clients has been a ...