[UK] Employment Rights Bill drives surge in demand for employment lawyers

In the UK, demand for employment lawyers has surged with law firms growing their practices as businesses navigate uncertainties over the pending Employment Rights Bill, City AM reports.

The Employment Rights Bill was introduced to Parliament in October 2025. It is intended to overhaul employment rights in the UK.

Measures in the divisive employment reforms included ending exploitative zero-hour contracts, banning fire and rehire and extending employment rights from day one.

Businesses have reportedly voiced concern about how much the policies will cost and how uncertain the process has been throughout the Bill’s reading.

A government economic analysis stated that businesses face around £5bn in additional annual costs as a result of the incoming legislation, with smaller businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors set to be hit the hardest.

The Bill’s current version was published in January. At 199 pages long, its contents include several U-turns, such as plans to ditch the ‘right to switch off’ proposal. Employment lawyers have been increasingly busy as it nears its final stages in Parliament.

A report by recruitment consultant EJ Legal and labour market data analytics firm Vacancysoft revealed that employment law vacancies rose nearly 34 per cent in 2024. It found that employment lawyers accounted for nearly eight per cent of total legal job openings, with the trend expected to continue throughout 2025.

George Catt - managing director of EJ Legal - told City AM, “City firms are likely to be placing a greater emphasis on Employment law as further regulatory changes coalesce to create demand by multinational corporations for compliance and workforce restructuring advice.

“2025 could well be an unprecedented year for employment lawyers.”

Source: City AM

(Links and quote via original reporting)

In the UK, demand for employment lawyers has surged with law firms growing their practices as businesses navigate uncertainties over the pending Employment Rights Bill, City AM reports.

The Employment Rights Bill was introduced to Parliament in October 2025. It is intended to overhaul employment rights in the UK.

Measures in the divisive employment reforms included ending exploitative zero-hour contracts, banning fire and rehire and extending employment rights from day one.

Businesses have reportedly voiced concern about how much the policies will cost and how uncertain the process has been throughout the Bill’s reading.

A government economic analysis stated that businesses face around £5bn in additional annual costs as a result of the incoming legislation, with smaller businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors set to be hit the hardest.

The Bill’s current version was published in January. At 199 pages long, its contents include several U-turns, such as plans to ditch the ‘right to switch off’ proposal. Employment lawyers have been increasingly busy as it nears its final stages in Parliament.

A report by recruitment consultant EJ Legal and labour market data analytics firm Vacancysoft revealed that employment law vacancies rose nearly 34 per cent in 2024. It found that employment lawyers accounted for nearly eight per cent of total legal job openings, with the trend expected to continue throughout 2025.

George Catt - managing director of EJ Legal - told City AM, “City firms are likely to be placing a greater emphasis on Employment law as further regulatory changes coalesce to create demand by multinational corporations for compliance and workforce restructuring advice.

“2025 could well be an unprecedented year for employment lawyers.”

Source: City AM

(Links and quote via original reporting)