Leisure Sector Update: Employment Rights Bill – Implementation Road Map

Welcome to the Harrison Drury Leisure Sector Newsletter. Your regular update on legal developments across the leisure, hospitality and tourism sector. Our aim is to keep you informed, prepared and ahead of the curve with insights tailored to support you and your business.

Employment Rights Bill – Implementation Road Map

Yesterday, the Government published an ‘implementation road map’ which sets out its planned timetable for the implementation of the ERB.

Interestingly, day 1 unfair dismissal rights and enhanced protection for zero hours workers – changes which will heavily affect the leisure sector – have been pushed back and are scheduled for implementation in 2027.

Many other changes will come in before that date though, and some key reforms for the sector to be aware of are SSP regime changes and the establishment of the Fair Work Agency in April 2026, and stronger tipping laws and an enhanced legal duty on employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace coming into force in October 2026.

The Government is also launching consultations from Summer 2025 on the implementation of these reforms, including the unfair dismissal rights and zero hours changes, and further consultations will commence in Winter 2026 and run into 2027. Employers are encouraged to have their voices heard in these consultations.

We will circulate further details as and when we have them, but in the meantime please don’t hesitate to contact our Employment Law specialists to discuss what the changes mean for your business and what you can do now to prepare for them.

We have a team of solicitors across a range of legal disciplines all with significant experience in supporting businesses in the leisure sector. Meet our leisure sector team to see how our team can help support you. If you wish to subscribe to our leisure newsletter, please do so here.