Jurisdiction: UK
Commencement: 6th April 2026
Amends: Employment Rights Act 1996
Mini Summary
The Employment Rights Act 1996 protects employees from unfair treatment or dismissal by an employer in relation to performing of certain health and safety functions or duties.
Most of the Act is not directly relevant to management of health and safety.
Duties
Employers must treat employees fairly and not discriminate or dismiss them for performing any of the health and safety duties or functions outlined in the summary section above. If the employer infringes these rights, they can be ordered to pay compensation.
Amendment
Various requirements made under The Employment Rights Act 2025 are brought into force on 6th April 2026 in relation to statutory sick pay, including rules applicable to employees who were unable to work before 6th April 2026 and continue to be unable to work after that date due to illness.
This amendment has no direct relevance to occupational health and safety matters.