The UK’s Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is bringing significant changes over the next two years, with a first wave landing in April 2026. For automotive businesses dealerships, workshops, parts suppliers, logistics, and manufacturing these changes will affect day-to-day policies, onboarding, absence management, and how you handle reorganisations or collective issues. If you don’t have an HR department, don’t worry. Venatu is already preparing for the changes and we’re here to make compliance straightforward for you.

What’s Changing in April 2026

• Day-one paternity & unpaid parental leave: New rights from day one of employment
• Enhanced whistleblowing protections: Stronger safeguards for reporting misconduct
• Day-one statutory sick pay and removal of the lower earnings threshold
• Establishment of the Fair Work Agency
• Trade union reforms: Simplified recognition, electronic/workplace ballots
• Collective redundancy award: Maximum protective award doubled

Why this matters to the automotive world

The automotive sector is fast-moving, multi-site and often has mixed workforces (permanent, temporary, seasonal, and contractor models). That makes clarity and consistency critical. From service advisors and technicians to parts teams, sales executives, valeters, and shift-based production staff, the ERB’s day-one rights and updated processes mean your policies and systems need to be aligned before April 2026.

HR Readiness Checklist: April 2026

Contracts & Onboarding: Add day-one paternity, parental, and sick pay clauses

Leave Policies: Update to incorporate new leave entitlements

Redundancy Procedures: Review your protective award calculations

Whistleblowing: Ensure policy is in place; train managers and employees

Trade Unions: Support simplified recognition and enable ballots

Payroll System: Ensure statutory sick pay triggers correctly from day one

Internal Communication: Inform employees of new rights and changes

Manager Training: Schedule workshops to update and upskill Managers.

Consultation & Updates: Connect with Venatu HR Hub for regular ERB updates beyond April

Need Support? We’re Here to Help

If your automotive business doesn’t have an HR department or you simply want peace of mind that you’re ready for the Employment Rights Bill changes Venatu is here for you.

By Amy Scargill, HR Manager