New law transforms workplace rights for women

Key updates include menopause support, pregnancy loss protections and statutory sick pay reforms set to disproportionately benefit low-paid women in the UK

Millions of working women are set to benefit as new UK legislation brings long-overdue improvements to workplace rights.

The reforms will be introduced in stages across 2026 and 2027, with some measures already in effect and are expected to significantly strengthen protections and support for women at work.

Employers will be required to update contracts and internal policies in line with the new rules.

Key changes affecting women under the Employment Rights Act 2025 include:

Menopause support
Large employers (250+ staff) must publish plans showing how they support menopause at work - from appointing champions to offering tailored adjustments.

Gender pay gap
Companies must not just report pay gaps, but set clear, practical plans to close them.

Pregnancy and maternity protection
Stronger safeguards against dismissal during pregnancy, maternity leave, and up to six months after returning.

Sexual harassment
Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment - including from customers. NDAs that silence victims are no longer valid.

Family and health leave

• Bereavement leave - new right to unpaid leave after a loss

• Pregnancy loss - specific leave and protections for loss before 24 weeks

• Day one rights - paternity and unpaid parental leave available from the first day

Working conditions

• Zero-hours contracts - right to guaranteed hours for eligible workers

• Shift security - compensation for last-minute cancellations and fair notice of shifts

Stronger sick pay and parental leave

Up to 9.6 million workers are set to benefit from improved statutory sick pay under the first wave of reforms, according to new TUC analysis.

Around 1.2 million people - the majority low-paid women - will qualify for statutory sick pay for the first time, as the previous £125 per week “lower earnings limit” is removed.

A further 8.4 million workers will now receive sick pay from the first day of illness, instead of waiting four days.

The changes are expected to disproportionately benefit low-paid women, as well as disabled workers and those at the beginning and end of their careers.

“Women thriving in the workplace is not just important for equality but for boosting economic growth.”

Government spokesperson

Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as the Government’s Women’s Employment Ambassador (Getty Images)

Women’s employment ambassador

Women’s health campaigner and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as the Government’s Women’s Employment Ambassador, a newly created role to to help employers better support women’s health at every stage of their careers and support working women across the country.

A government spokesperson said: “The Employment Rights Act is a huge boost for women in the workplace – introducing enhanced protections for pregnant women and new mothers, menopause action plans for large employers and rights for parental leave from day one.

“Women thriving in the workplace is not just important for equality but for boosting economic growth.”