Telling staff about the right to join a union
January 2027 (planned) Planned — no commencement order yet
Employment Rights Act 2025 s.58. Commencement regulations not yet made (GOV.UK and Acas both list 1 January 2027). Applies to: Great Britain. Checked 25 October 2026.
Employers will have to give workers a written statement that they have the right to join a trade union. When it must be given, and its form and content, will be set by regulations.
We found no commencement regulations for this change on legislation.gov.uk as of 25 October 2026. The date comes from the government roadmap and may move; details depend on regulations and consultation responses.
Who it affects
Every employer with workers, unionised or not.
What changes
- New duty to provide a statement of trade union rights (Employment Rights Act 1996, new provisions inserted by s.58).
What to do
- Add a placeholder to your onboarding pack so the statement can be dropped in once the prescribed form is published.
Documents to review by 4 December 2026
- Onboarding pack : Written statement given on day one; Space for the trade union rights statement.
Tick these off and export the dates to your calendar in the business plan tab.
Sources
- Employment Rights Act 2025, section 58 — Right to statement of trade union rights
- GOV.UK — Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update (updated 22 October 2026)
A summary for employers, not legal advice. Where a change depends on regulations not yet made, details may differ from this page.
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