S1 E22: From Westminster to the payslip: making work pay

What does the Employment Rights Act mean for pay professionals and the people they pay?

In this very special episode of 'Behind the Button', we’re joined by the Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden MP, to talk about the changes coming to employment rights across the UK.

Kate talks about what first drew her into politics and her family’s trade union background. She also explains why she believes the Employment Rights Act is such an important step forward for workers.

We look at some of the key changes, including statutory sick pay, day-one paternity leave, zero-hours contracts and unfair dismissal protection. Kate also explains why the changes need to be introduced carefully, giving businesses time to prepare.

There’s a particular focus on payroll. As Kate points out, pay teams are often closest to how changes like these work in practice. And their feedback matters massively to Government.

We also look at what the UK can learn from other countries and what Kate hopes will have changed for workers a year from now.

Glossary

OECD = Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

Links

Employment Rights Act 2025 changes guidance: https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/employment-changes/

Revised Tipping Code of Practice - Make Work Pay: revised tipping code of practice - GOV.UK

Equal Pay and Pay Discrimination - Equal pay and pay discrimination - GOV.UK

Workplace Monitoring Technologies - Make Work Pay: workplace monitoring technologies - GOV.UK

Timelines - Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update - GOV.UK