Duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union from 1 January 2027

From 1st January 2027, it is currently intended that employers must provide workers with a written statement advising them that they have a right to join a trade union. This obligation for employers has been delayed following the Government’s response to its consultation which was published on 25 September 2026. 

The Government has now specified various areas in relation to the proposed written statement, which are:-

1) Form

• A standardised statement will be issued for employers to use . The Government is still working with Acas on this but the current expectation is that the standard statement will be amended only to add workplace-specific information.
• The statement will include either:
  • a link to the Certification Officer’s list of trade unions, or
  • a copy of the list of registered unions.

2) Content

The statement must provide clear, neutral information on the right to join a trade union, including:

• a brief explanation of what trade unions do (their functions);
• a list of and information on:
  • recognised trade unions, and/or
  • statutory access agreements (where applicable);
• a summary of statutory rights.

3) Manner (how it must be communicated) 

• Directly to new workers at the same time as their written statement of employment particulars.
• Directly or indirectly to existing workers. 

4) Frequency

Direct delivery to existing workers

• If the employer chooses to deliver the statement directly to existing workers, it must be done annually by 5 April.

Indirect delivery (e.g., making it available somewhere)

• If the employer uses indirect methods, it must ensure the statement is continuously and reasonably available to workers.
• The employer must issue an annual reminder that:
  • the statement is available; and
  • where to find it.

Change notifications / reissue triggers

• If the employer relies on indirect communication and the location changes, the employer must inform workers directly.
• If there is a change to the identity of unions with recognition or statutory access agreements, the statement must be reissued within one month of the change.

For more details please see Government response to the consultation on duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union: executive summary – GOV.UK

We are now are waiting for final details on this.

The contents of this article are a general guide only at the date of publication. It is not comprehensive, and it does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be sought in relation to the particular facts of a given situation.