Employment law · April 2026

UK Employment Law Changes April 2026: Is Your Business Ready?

If you run a small or medium-sized business in Central Scotland, April 2026 is a month you need to have circled on your calendar. The Employment Rights Act 2025 is officially rolling out its first major wave of reforms, and it brings the most significant shake-up to statutory workplace rights in a decade.

For employers in Falkirk, Grangemouth, and the surrounding areas, relying on old staff handbooks or outdated HR policies is no longer a safe option. Here is a straightforward breakdown of the crucial April 2026 changes and what you need to do right now.

1. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Becomes a "Day One" Right

Starting April 6, 2026, the traditional three-day "waiting period" for Statutory Sick Pay is gone. Employees are now entitled to sick pay from their very first day of absence.

Furthermore, the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) has been removed. This means even your lowest-earning or part-time staff who earn under £125 per week will now qualify for SSP. The flat rate is also increasing to £123.25 per week.

Action step You must update your sickness and absence policies immediately and ensure your payroll software is configured for Day One SSP.

2. "Day One" Paternity and Parental Leave

The old rule requiring an employee to have 26 weeks of continuous service to qualify for Paternity Leave, or a full year for Unpaid Parental Leave, has been scrapped. As of April 2026, these are "Day One" rights. A new hire can technically request this leave within their first week on the job.

Action step Review your family-friendly policies and strip out any clauses mentioning service-length requirements for these specific benefits.

3. Heavier Fines for Collective Redundancy Failures

If your business needs to restructure, be warned: the maximum protective award for failing to properly consult staff during collective redundancies is doubling from 90 days' pay to 180 days' pay per affected employee.

Protect Your Business with Expert Local HR Support

Employment law is complex, but compliance doesn't have to be a headache. At Crawford Consultancy, we provide practical, straightforward HR support to businesses across Falkirk, Stirling, and Central Scotland. We can audit your current contracts, update your employee handbooks, and ensure you are fully protected against the 2026 legislative changes.