With a raft of legislation scheduled for the next 12 months, People Management outlines the key changes and how to best prepare.

With the Employment Rights Act finally gaining royal assent as of yesterday (18 December), 2026 is set to be a defining year for employers.

Much of 2025 was marked by uncertainty for businesses as the employment rights bill slowly progressed through parliament, prompting significant debate and disagreement. Although questions remain, with much still to be resolved through secondary legislation, employers now have far greater clarity on what to expect in the coming year. “It’s time to switch gear and move from speculation to preparation,” says Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD. “Employers and HR professionals need to understand the roadmap for change that the government has set out and when changes will impact how they hire and manage people at work.” Read more