Employment Rights Act LIVE Q&A: 24th September 2026
Nothing lands on your desk in October. And that's the problem.
In April it was sick pay, and you could see the bill coming. This time no money moves and no form arrives. What changes is the standard you get judged against, months later, over a conversation nobody wrote down. Thirty minutes with an employment solicitor and two HR specialists on what's actually changing and what to do about it before the end of the month.
Free. Live Q&A. Register even if you can't make it and we'll send the recording.
What’s changing
The four dates worth knowing
1st October 2026
The window to bring a tribunal claim doubles from three months to six. With Acas conciliation now running up to twelve weeks, roughly nine months can pass between something happening and a claim reaching you.
30th October 2026
The duty to prevent sexual harassment rises from taking reasonable steps to taking all reasonable steps, and extends to harassment by third parties: customers, clients, contractors, visitors. Official guidance on what that means is not expected until 2027.
30th October 2026
Employers must inform staff of their right to join a trade union, unions gain wider workplace access, and representatives get strengthened time off and facilities.
1st January 2027
The unfair dismissal qualifying period drops from two years to six months, the compensation cap is removed, and fire and rehire becomes automatically unfair in most cases.
Several of these dates have already moved once. That is the argument for being ready early rather than waiting for a deadline that keeps shifting.
What we’ll cover
What we’ll actually spend time covering:
What "all reasonable steps" is likely to require in practice, and why nobody has been told yet
Third-party harassment: who counts, and what you can realistically do about a customer
Five questions to work out whether your business is exposed, answered live
What to do in the first 24 hours after a complaint lands, and what not to do
Why a six-month claim window changes how long you keep things and who writes them down
What January 2027 means for probation, and why decisions now need making at five months
"We're too small for this." Whether that's true, and what it changes
We'll keep the legislation brief and spend the time on what to do about it. Bring questions and we'll answer them live.
Speakers in the session
Who you'll hear from:
Jon Batchelor, Strategic Director, Farnworth Rose Solicitors
with 25 years running and advising businesses.
Louise Payne, Co-Founder and Director, JaRo HR
Advising Lancashire employers through exactly these conversations, most weeks of the year.
Micky Marsden, Co-Founder and Director, JaRo HR
Practical HR support for SMEs across the North West.
Hosted by Paul Mortimer, Head of Marketing and Business Development, Farnworth Rose.
When: Thursday 24 September 2026, 2:00pm to 2:30pm
Where: Online, joining link sent on registration
Cost: Free
Who it's for: Owners, managers and anyone responsible for people in a business with staff
Even if you can’t attend live, register anyway to get the recording:
Sign up using this form
Employment Rights Act LIVE Q&A: 24th September 2026
What to do next:
Mock Grievance: Live workshop at Pendle Business Week
Once you’re up to speed on what’s changing using the online session, come and see what it’s like when an employee grievance goes wrong.
Most serious complaints arrive as a grievance, and reading about one is nothing like sitting in the room while it happens.
You'll watch a realistic grievance meeting unfold from start to finish, with Farnworth Rose and JaRo HR pausing throughout to explain what's happening, why each question is being asked, and where it would come apart.
Details: FREE Tuesday 13 October, 11:00am to 1:00pm, Colne Cricket Club, Byron Road, Colne, BB8 0RF
Register for free on the Pendle Business Week website using the button below:
Get personalised training from JaRo HR experts
JaRo HR run a 30-minute sexual harassment training session online for £30. It's the most straightforward way to start building the evidence that you've taken these law changes seriously.
Personalised training and advice based on your scenario
Expert, accredited HR advice and experience for a small fee
Peace of mind you’ve got expert input to protect your business and your team
The session will be via a video call and will give you the chance to ask questions and get advice specific to you and your business.
How to purchase: Get in touch using the button below or email paul.mortimer@farnworthrose.co.uk