From October 2026, new trade union rules introduced under the Employment Rights Act will take effect. They place fresh obligations on employers, so it’s worth reviewing your documentation and management practices now.
What is changing?
Employers will have a duty to tell workers about their right to join a trade union, and to give them a written statement setting out that right. This applies even if the workplace is already unionised.
What employers should do
Review your HR materials. The new duty may mean updating documents for both new starters and existing employees, such as contracts, handbooks and onboarding packs.
Watch the language you use. Employers need to take care that wording in documents, or comments from managers, could not be read as discouraging union membership or treating people less favourably because of it. Managers may benefit from a short briefing on this point.
Looking ahead: zero-hours contracts
The government has already consulted on the future of zero-hours contracts, and its main proposals include:
- A right to guaranteed hours, based on the hours a qualifying worker has actually worked during a reference period
- Reasonable notice of shifts and of any changes to them
- Payment for shifts that are cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice
These measures are not yet in force, and the government is awaiting one final consultation. However, the proposals give a clear indication of the direction of policy, so employers who use zero-hours arrangements may want to start thinking about how these changes could affect their workforce planning.
Practical next steps
- Check which employees and workers will need the written statement of their right to join a union.
- Review and update your HR documentation for new and existing staff.
- Brief managers on language that could be seen as discouraging or discriminating against union membership.
- If you use zero-hours contracts, review how they operate against the proposed changes.
How we can help
If you have questions about the new rules or need support updating your employment documentation, please get in touch. We’d be glad to help.
