What's Next?
The Employment Rights Act (ERA) and the creation of the Fair Work Agency (FWA) represent one of the most significant shifts in the UK market in a generation. Together, they signal a clear ambition: to raise standards, strengthen protections, and create a system that works more fairly and effectively for both workers and employers.
At the heart of these reforms is a fundamental change in approach. The establishment of the Fair Work Agency brings together multiple enforcement bodies into a single, more coordinated organisation, designed to simplify the system and improve outcomes across the labour market.
This document brings together three important perspectives: The evolving role and priorities of the Fair Work Agency, the legislative changes introduced through the Employment Rights Act, the practical actions employers and stakeholders can take now to prepare. It also highlights how industry-led initiatives – such as national hiring standards, RecTech innovation, and measurable hiring metrics – can complement regulation and accelerate progress.
