Duty to inform staff of trade union representation delayed

29 Sep 2026

Delay to rules requiring employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union put on hold for four months with revised start date likely in January

The new employer duty will now come into force in January 2027, not next month as originally planned.

While the government has decided the exact requirements for the new right to be told about trade union representation in workplaces, it has decided to hold off the start date. The rules will be introduced through secondary legislation as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025.

The rules will mean significant changes for employers, with all new starters given a written statement clarifying the trade union rights.

Written statement