Duty to inform employees about right to join trade union

Stacie Cheadle, technical writer at Croner, explains the incoming rules on the right to trade union representation and key issues for employers to consider

Major changes to employee rights to access trade union representation at work are due to come into force from October 2026, affecting all companies.

The expansion of trade union rights is part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, which introduces significant reforms regarding trade unions, including a new duty on employers to inform employees about their right to join a trade union and granting trade unions enhanced access to workplaces.

The government’s aim is to bolster trade union presence within workplaces and support collective worker representation.

Duty to inform employees about union membership

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