Potential implementation: 2027

What is the position now?

There are currently no legal rules about how much notice employers must give when offering shifts or changing them. This means shifts can be arranged or cancelled at short notice, particularly for workers on flexible or zero-hours contracts.

What is changing?

New rules are expected to give certain workers – likely including those on zero-hours contracts – the right to reasonable notice of their shifts and any changes.

The law will set out what counts as “reasonable notice”. If an employer does not give enough notice, the worker may be entitled to financial compensation.

These rights are also expected to apply to agency workers, with responsibility shared between the agency and the business using the worker.

What does this mean for employers?

Employers will need to plan work schedules more carefully and reduce last-minute changes to shifts, especially where workers rely on predictable hours.

As at Feb 26