The End of Fire and Rehire? | getting ready for reform
Under the proposed Employment Rights Bill (ERB), the controversial practice of fire and rehire will be significantly curtailed, especially in cases involving reductions to pay, hours, pensions, and certain other key contractual terms.
Whether you’re a large corporation or a small business, this change could dramatically alter how you manage restructures, implement contractual changes, and navigate periods of financial strain — though some flexibility will remain for changes outside the restricted areas or in genuine cases of financial crisis.
In this webinar, we’ll lay out the current legal framework, outline what will change under the ERB, and explore the impact this will have on employers. Plus, what actions should you take over the next 12 months to get prepared?
17 July, 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm
If passed with the amendments proposed on 7 July, the ERB will make it automatically unfair to dismiss an employee for refusing certain changes to their contract, specifically those relating to pay, hours, pensions, and similar key terms, and then attempt to rehire (or replace) them on those terms. This tactic, known as ‘fire and rehire’, has traditionally been used by many employers to drive organisational change, but will be significantly restricted under the new provisions.
According to the government’s ERB Implementation Roadmap, released in early July, these changes are now not expected to come into force until October 2026.
Join our free 60-minute webinar, where WorkNest’s Senior Employment Law Adviser, Lyndsay Gourlay, will break down recent developments and offer clarity on what’s to come. Using clear explanations and practical examples, Lyndsay will help you understand current rules, how things might change based on the government’s latest proposals, and what steps employers should take in the meantime.
We’ll also provide a concise and timely overview of the ERB Implementation Roadmap, ensuring you’re informed of all key dates.
What's on the agenda?
In this free 60-minute session, WorkNest’s Senior Employment Law Adviser, Lyndsay Gourlay, will:
- Break down the current legal framework surrounding fire and rehire
- Explain exactly what will change under the ERB
- Outline the practical steps employers need to take now to stay compliant
- Share real-world case studies – where employers got it wrong and the consequences
- Use practical examples to help embed your understanding of the new rules.
- Highlight common pitfalls and how to avoid costly missteps
- Explore alternative strategies for changing employees’ T&Cs compliantly when fire and rehire is no longer a viable option
- Answer your questions
Got a question?
Submit your queries when registering – we’ll address as many as possible during the session.
Can't make the live session?
No problem – register anyway and we’ll send you the on-demand recording along with a selection of helpful resources.
Register for free session
Preparing Your Organisation for the New Employee Rights Bill - Open Course, 3 September 2025
To go beyond the technical aspects of the new ERB, this interactive training session will explore its impact and implications.
We will discuss how to conduct an ERB Impact Assessment in your organisation and explore what you can do now to prepare, in advance of the new legal framework being finalised.
Webinar review
“Having attended a few WorkNest webinars, I am always impressed with the no-nonsense, well-balanced guidance they provide. Their advice gives me confidence to deal with situations that may arise in an appropriate way and the fact that they follow up with answers to all the questions posed during the webinar is an added bonus.”
Mary Greig, Scaled Solutions
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