After a quiet committee stage, the report stage saw major amendments on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), bereavement leave, fire-and-rehire protections, and zero-hours contracts. New rules will void NDAs that suppress disclosures of harassment or discrimination, and extend bereavement leave to early pregnancy loss. Fire-and-rehire measures now target ‘restricted variations’ and plug loopholes around agency replacements.
The Bill also introduces rights for zero-hours workers, though implementation is staggered: key reforms begin in April 2026, with day-one unfair dismissal rights deferred to 2027.
Pigott warns that the ‘ping-pong’ stage may delay Royal Assent, but the government’s roadmap outlines phased consultations and rollouts. The Bill marks a significant shift in UK employment law, but its full impact may take years to unfold.
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