Employment Rights Act: Small Employer Action Pack (GB) — plain-English guide + 7 editable Word templates

Sick pay from day one is already law. Tribunal time limits double on 1 October 2026 (regulations made). The harassment duty and the union statement are announced for 30 October 2026. Unfair dismissal after six months, with the cap removed, starts on 1 January 2027 (regulations made). Fire-and-rehire restrictions are announced for the same day. Most summaries present all of these as if they were already in force. This pack tells you which are, which aren't, and what to do about each, in date order, with time estimates.

The guide (54 pages, PDF)

• The full timetable with a status label on every date, plus an at-a-glance page and a timeline
• One page per measure with an "applies to you if" test
• The "all reasonable steps" harassment duty in practical terms for a small firm, with a fire-risk-assessment analogy and your options
• Probation under the six-month rule, worked through with real dates
• Sick pay from day one, with the lower-of test worked on two salaries
• A 19-step action plan sequenced now / 1 October / 30 October / 1 January
• Penalties and exposure, with a worked uplift example
• The official free resources that already exist so you don't pay twice, opportunities, and every source listed

The templates (Word)

• Anti-harassment policy covering third parties
• Harassment risk assessment with the "reason if a step not taken" column
• Staff briefing note and training register
• Contract clause updates: sick pay, paternity and parental leave, holiday records, union statement on hold until the regulations are made
• Probation review form and six-month decision checklist
• Contract-variation decision tree
• Compliance calendar 2026–27

England, Wales and Scotland. Version 1.0, law as at 9 September 2026. Buyers receive updated versions by email when the 30 October regulations are made.

We make no claims

Plain Terms presents the official rules in plain English, with examples, analogies and suggested options, so that anyone can understand them. Nothing here is legal or HR advice. Before you act on anything in this pack, confirm it on gov.uk and ACAS (the sources are listed at the back) and, where it matters to you, with your own solicitor or HR professional. The official sources and your adviser decide; we help you understand and ask the right questions. Templates are drafted from the primary sources and carry a note to have them reviewed before first use.

Our promise: not clearer within 14 days, full refund. No form, no fuss.