New legislation will make sick pay and family-friendly leave available from day one, with low earners eligible for SSP without a minimum earnings threshold.

 
Day One Rights
 

UPDATE - February 2026

Following the government’s updated implementation timeline, we now expect these changes to come into effect as follows:

18 February 2026
  • Employees that are newly eligible for ‘Day 1’ Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave can give notice

6 April 2026
  • ‘Day 1’ Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave - Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – removing the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) and waiting period

2027

  • Bereavement leave including pregnancy loss



January 2026 Update - Confirmed finalised rules on day-one rights

The Act has finalised, and the final rules on day one rights include:

  • SSP from day one of employment (ETA April 2026).
  • Removal of the lower earnings limit.
  • All employees will be entitled to the flat weekly SSP rate of 80% of their normal weekly earnings (whichever is lower).
  • Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from day one of employment (ETA April 2026).
  • Minimum of one week of unpaid bereavement leave from day one (ETA 2027).
  • The bereavement leave will include employees and their partners who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.


Further information is required to determine who is eligible, when it can be taken and any notice or evidence requirements.

 

Employment Rights Bill information that's relevant to your sector

We've created one central hub for independent retailers to access key information on the Employment Rights Bill, set to be in force in summer 2025.

Visit the hub
 

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