The Rules Have Changed.
Is Your Business Ready?
As of April 2026, UK employment law has undergone significant shifts. The question is no longer whether you will be compliant, but whether your payroll systems, data tracking, and management protocols are prepared for the practical impact. This dashboard summarizes the critical changes you must action immediately.
National Living Wage
Per hour for workers aged 21+
Statutory Sick Pay
Waiting period abolished. Rate: £123.25/wk.
Redundancy Awards
Maximum protective award doubled.
National Minimum & Living Wage Updates
Ensure your payroll systems reflect the new statutory minimums effective April 1, 2026. This chart outlines the new hourly rates across age bands.
The SSP Revolution
The most disruptive change for HR operations. Eligibility and calculation methods have fundamentally shifted.
1️⃣ Day One Eligibility
The three-day waiting period is gone. Employees are eligible from their first day of sickness.
2️⃣ Expanded Coverage & Caps
-
➜
Lower Earnings Limit Removed: ~1.3 million more workers (part-time/low income) now qualify.
-
➜
New Calculation: For lower earners, SSP is the lower of £123.25 OR 80% of Average Weekly Earnings.
Policy, Leave & Enforcement
Explore critical updates to family leave rights and new enforcement mechanisms.
Day-One Rights
- Paternity Leave
- Parental Leave
- Ordinary Parental Leave
Financial Updates
- Statutory Pay Cap increases to £194.32 / week (Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared).
- Eligibility earnings threshold rises to £129 / week.
Introduction of up to 52 weeks of unpaid bereaved partner leave.
Launch: April 2026
The new Fair Work Agency consolidates enforcement powers. They will actively investigate and audit businesses for compliance regarding:
- National Minimum Wage adherence
- Statutory Sick Pay administration
- Leave entitlements & calculations
📉 Collective Redundancy
The financial penalty for failing to consult properly has increased drastically.
Maximum Protective Award Pay
📢 Whistleblowing & Reporting
- Sexual Harassment: Now explicitly categorized as a protected disclosure under whistleblowing laws.
- Pay Gap: Prepare data for upcoming Gender Pay Gap reporting deadlines across applicable sectors.
The Readiness Checklist
Click items to mark them as completed for your session.
"The rules managers have been applying for years just changed. Brief them before April so they're not caught off guard."
Survive The New Home Office in 2026 with IRS HR
The Golden Record
Integrate Payroll, HR, and Recruitment data streams into a single, auditable "golden record” cloud-based secure system. The Home Office compliance gaps is automatically secure according to the Home Office’s Appendix-D Guidance
Sponsor Automations
Automated reminders for unauthorised absence, prolonged sick leave and location changes — before deadlines are missed. Identify gaps and proactively address them instead of ignoring your breaches.
Monthly Mock Audits
Why wait for the Home Office? We stress-test your systems monthly. We find the gaps—missing docs, visa expiries—so you fix them before they become a fine. Smart Tech that keeps you compliant 24X7
Direct Solicitor Access
Home Office Compliance is a legal minefield. Your subscription includes access to our panel of solicitors. Don't Google complex issues—get expert legal guidance immediately. We don’t take introductory fees and thus remain impartial.
Book Your Strategy Demo
Select a time to see how the IRS HR "Golden Record" protects you.
We don’t provide immigration advice but connect you to our panel of solicitors for immigration advice. The information above is only for informational purposes and shouldn’t be construed as immigration advice.