ERA 2025 is here – don’t risk getting it wrong.
We’ll guide you through the legal changes and keep your business compliant.
The Fair Work Agency is here – and enforcement just got serious.
Make sure your business is compliant before
inspections, penalties, or investigations hit.
NEW: The Fair Work Agency (From 7 April 2026)
One of the most important structural changes is the launch of the Fair Work Agency (FWA)—a new UK-wide enforcement body designed to strengthen compliance with employment rights.
What does the Fair Work Agency do?
The FWA brings together enforcement functions previously handled by multiple bodies into a single, more powerful organisation. Its remit includes:
- National Minimum Wage enforcement
- Agency worker protections
- Statutory Sick Pay compliance
- Holiday pay enforcement
New Powers
The Agency has significantly enhanced authority, including:
- Proactive investigations (not just reacting to complaints)
- Ability to inspect workplaces and demand records
- Power to issue enforcement notices and require repayment to workers
- Authority to impose financial penalties
- In serious cases, the ability to pursue criminal prosecution
A More Proactive Approach
Unlike previous enforcement systems, the FWA is expected to:
- Use data and intelligence to identify high-risk employers
- Carry out targeted sector audits
- Take action even where workers are reluctant to complain
This represents a shift from reactive enforcement to active policing of employment rights.
What This Means for Employers
- Greater likelihood of inspections and audits
- Increased penalties for non-compliance
- More focus on accurate record-keeping (pay, holiday, sickness)
Employers should act now to ensure systems and documentation are robust.
