Policy into Practice: Day 1 Rights 2026 – what employers need to know

Major changes to employment law are coming in 2026 — is your organisation ready?

We will be joined by Caroline Prosser, Partner at Hill Dickinson and Jennifer Liston-Smith, Strategic Advisor for Bright Horizons, for a forward-looking session exploring the upcoming Day 1 Rights reforms under the Employment Rights Bill, what these changes mean for HR leaders and employers, and how to prepare for the evolving public policy landscape.

With changes coming to how employees access Statutory Sick Pay, Parental Leave, Paternity Leave, flexible working and protection against unfair dismissal, employers and their HR teams need to be prepared. Setting this against the backdrop of the 2025 Autumn Budget and current best practice insights, we look at what leading employers will be doing next.

Our panel will look to:

✅ Understand the incoming changes, the timeline and how to ensure compliance
✅ Provide practical guidance to prepare your workforce strategy
✅ Explore best practice for employers wanting to do more than cover the basics.
✅ Reflect on the Autumn Budget, the potential financial impacts for businesses and the future of work.