New Employment Rights Act to Boost Women’s Workplace Protections

A new Employment Rights Act coming into effect next month promises significant benefits for women in the workplace, with enhanced protections for pregnant women and new mothers, mandatory menopause action plans for larger employers and day-one rights for parental abandon. The changes are expected to disproportionately benefit women, particularly low-paid workers, and contribute to both equality and economic growth.

Expanded Sick Pay Access

Approximately 4.7 million women are set to benefit from stronger sick pay provisions starting in April, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Crucially, over 830,000 women will gain access to statutory sick pay for the first time. This addresses a long-standing issue where low-paid women – those earning below £125 a week – were previously ineligible for sick pay, forcing them to choose between their health and their income. Source

The TUC has highlighted that women are more than twice as likely as men to miss out on statutory sick pay. Source Around one in ten women employees are not entitled to SSP. Source

Enhanced Parental Leave Rights

From April, fathers and partners will be entitled to paternity leave from day one of employment. All parents will also gain the day-one right to unpaid parental leave under the new Act. This builds upon existing shared parental leave, introduced in 2014, which allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay. Source

Currently, new fathers can seize two weeks of paid leave at a rate of £187.18 a week or 90% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Source

Addressing the Motherhood Penalty

The new legislation comes as research continues to highlight the financial disadvantages faced by mothers. Studies show mothers lose an average of £65,618 in pay by the time their first child turns five, due to the “motherhood penalty” and its impact on career progression. Source

Office for National Statistics data reveals that women’s average monthly earnings fall by 42%, or £1,051 per month, five years after the birth of their first child, compared to their earnings the year before. This equates to a loss of £65,618 over five years. Source

Menopause Support

The Employment Rights Act also mandates menopause action plans for large employers, aiming to create more supportive workplaces for women experiencing menopause. Source

Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, stated that the Employment Rights Act is “an important step forward for women at perform,” addressing a system that has historically disadvantaged them. Source A government spokesperson echoed this sentiment, calling the Act “a huge boost for women in the workplace.” Source