Navigating the Employment Rights Act: What’s changed and what’s next.

About this event

Join us for a practical webinar on the Employment Rights Act changes taking effect in the next six months.

Led by Lauren McLaughlin, Partner and Employment Law Solicitor from Loch, this online event occurs ahead of the key Employment Rights Act (ERA) reforms taking effect in October 2026 and the January 2027 deadline for the most significant ERA impact of all – the change to unfair dismissal rights.

This webinar is a timely opportunity to ensure you have the knowledge to take the critical steps for your organisation.

You’ll get a practical update on the Employment Rights Act, covering recent legislative changes, good practice to help reduce legal risk, a timeline of the changes already in place and what is still to come.

What can you expect from this event?

• The key reforms of the Employment Rights Act: changes to family-friendly rights; sick pay; zero and variable hours and contracts; sexual harassment obligations; the creation of a Fair Work-style enforcement body; strengthened trade unions recognition.
• Changes to unfair dismissal rights and compensation and how that impacts processes and settlement negotiations.
• Timeline and what you need to do: what’s scheduled for 2026 and 2027, and how to prioritise actions.
• Advice relating to record-keeping and other good practice guidance.
• Opportunity to ask questions on employment law issues live in the session or for follow-up after the event

The speakers:

Lauren McLaughlin, Partner and Employment Law Solicitor

Lauren has a wealth of employment law experience, having specialised in this area for over 10 years, and leads the team at Loch’s London office. Having trained at a boutique employment firm, Lauren qualified in 2014 and continued to build her reputation at a larger City firm. Lauren practises the full spectrum of employment law – both contentious and non-contentious. In particular, she has extensive experience of the day-to-day running and strategic aspects of Employment Tribunal litigation.

Dealing in complex, multi-faceted claims of discrimination, victimisation, harassment, and whistleblowing, Lauren has been involved in thorny legal matters right up to the Court of Appeal and is noted in the Legal 500 for her expertise in sex and pregnancy discrimination. Lauren has experience in a range of HR matters and is well equipped to advise businesses on managing senior executive exits, conducting internal processes, redundancies, and reorganisations, as well as routinely drafting employment contracts and policies.

In her spare time, Lauren enjoys a nice coffee spot, keeping fit and walking her dog (preferably by the sea!).
Lauren has the following qualifications: LPC distinction – College of Law, Chester, and LLB Hons degree – University of Liverpool, 2008-2011

Victoria Regan, Partner and Employment Law Solicitor

Victoria Regan, a Partner at Loch, is an experienced employment law solicitor who leads our Eastbourne office. Victoria studied law at Lancaster University, completed her LPC at Guildford College of Law and qualified as a solicitor in 2004. Recognized for her expertise, Victoria has been ranked in Chambers and Partners 2025 and recognised as a ‘Leading Partner’ by The Legal 500 UK 2025.
With extensive experience advising both employers and employees, Victoria has a wealth of experience in advising on all aspects of employment law. In particular; unfair dismissal, breach of contract, transfer of undertakings (TUPE), redundancies and restructures, whistleblowing, and discrimination. In addition, she also deals with senior level director disputes, settlement agreements, restrictive covenants, employment tribunal claims and all employment matters arising from share and asset sales and purchases of businesses.

In her free time, Victoria enjoys walking her dog along the beach at Pevensey Bay and finding new places to dine out!
Victoria has the following qualifications: LLB (Hons) degree Lancaster University and LPC at Guildford College of Law.

Please note:

• This is a members only event.
• Participants will receive their joining details 24 hours before the webinar, along with a reminder one hour before the session begins.
• The session may be recorded and shared afterwards.
• The chat function will be used to engage with participants.
• If there is an external speaker, their views will be their own and may not necessarily reflect those of the CIPD.
• If any reasonable adjustments are required, participants are encouraged to make this known and assistance will be provided.