EMPLOYERS in Coventry and Warwickshire employers are being urged to keep up to date with legislation affecting employees’ rights – with new changes just introduced and more coming up.
Changes introduced on April 6 mean that employees are now entitled to paternity leave from day one of a new job, and employees now receive Statutory Sick Pay from the first day of illness – previously, they had to wait until the fourth day.
With more changes being introduced throughout 2026 and 2027, Julia Woodhouse, employment solicitor at Blythe Liggins Solicitors in Leamington, is encouraging employers to keep up to date with what’s new.
Probably the most significant change comes into effect on January 1 next year. Employees will then become entitled to bring an ordinary unfair dismissal claim against their employers after six months in their job, while currently they can only do so after two years.
And in addition, the current financial cap on the amount of the compensatory award for ordinary unfair dismissals, will be removed.
Julia said: “With the current law being that employees can only make an ordinary unfair dismissal case after two years’ continuous service, some employers will have postponed deciding whether to keep an employee in post.
“Leading up to the change on 1st January, we are likely to see an increase in dismissals as employers look to terminate the employment of certain employees before the law and their rights change.”
But she added it was important to recognise the change would not alter employees’ rights to make an automatic unfair dismissal claim, which applies when the reason for dismissal is prohibited by law, such as for being pregnant or whistleblowing.
“For discrimination and most automatic unfair dismissal claims, there is no need to have any period of continuous service to be eligible to make these claims.
“In a possible rush to terminate the employment of shorter serving employees, to avoid them gaining ordinary unfair dismissal eligibility, employers may find that their actions give rise to other claims.”
She is urging any employers or employees with questions about a legal situation and their rights to seek legal advice.
Visit www.blytheliggins.co.uk for more information on the changes to the Employment Rights Act.
