Event Summary

Major changes to employment law are on the horizon. Throughout 2026 and 2027, the Employment Rights Act will introduce wide-ranging reforms affecting employers across Scotland.

We are pleased to bring our popular Employment Rights Act Conference to Edinburgh, offering Scottish employers clear, practical guidance on how to prepare for the reforms and respond effectively as the new requirements are phased in.

Drawing on expert insights from policymakers, HR and legal specialists, and business leaders, Holyrood Insight’s one day conference will explore the reforms, providing clarity on new legal obligations, key timelines, risks, priorities, and the actions employers need to take now to minimise risk and avoid costly mistakes.

With the Fair Work Agency (FWA) launching in April 2026, enforcement of employment rights in Scotland will intensify. The conference will explore how the FWA will operate, what it will expect from employers, and how increased scrutiny of statutory sick pay, holiday pay, and the national minimum wage is likely to affect organisations.

We will hear from members of the Fair Work Commission in Scotland on expectations for Scottish employers and how to align organisational practices with fair work principles.

We will discuss the meaning of taking “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment – what it means in practice, covering risk assessments, policies and action plans, reporting and complaints procedures, third-party harassment, and whistleblowing arrangements.

With entitlement to SSP to be available from day one of absence, we will deliver a session on absence management and preventing absenteeism under the new legislative framework.

With earlier protection from unfair dismissal (after 6 months) and the removal of the cap on compensatory awards, we will examine ways to strengthen your recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure you are finding the best candidates and managing performance effectively from the outset.

The reforms will also require large employers to publish Equality Action Plans demonstrating how they are addressing gender pay gaps and supporting women through the menopause. Take away practical guidance for developing gender pay gap and menopause action plans, as well as the steps you need to take now to prepare for future ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting requirements.

Join senior leaders, HR professionals, and key stakeholders from across Scotland for a day of practical learning and networking, and ensure your organisation is ready for the changes ahead.

Key Points

  • The Employment Rights Act 2025 timeline: immediate changes and what’s still to come
  • The launch of the Fair Work Agency: role, powers and expectations
  • Upskilling teams to support compliance and fair work
  • Managing absence in light of changes to statutory sick pay (SSP) and new rights to paternity and unpaid parental leave
  • Trade union reforms and restrictions on fire-and-rehire practices
  • The duty to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment
  • Developing gender pay gap and menopause action plans
  • Preparing for disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting
  • Updating recruitment and onboarding practices to prepare for new unfair dismissal protections
  • Future reforms: zero hours contracts, pregnancy rights, collective redundancy, flexible working, bereavement leave, non disclosure agreements

Sponsorship

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