Published

Why Time & Attendance Software Is Essential Under the New 2026–27 Employment Law Changes

By
The upcoming changes in the Employment Rights Act 2025 means that there will be much heavier compliance demands on employers. These demands will include a requirement to monitor and manage absences, working patterns, performance records and HR processes. A modern Time & Attendance (T&A) system becomes not just useful, but critical to anyone that employees people in the UK.

Here’s why:

    1. 1. Shorter unfair dismissal qualifying period (reduced to 6 months)

Employers now need robust, well‑documented evidence of:
  •  Attendance
  •  Performance
  •  Probation reviews
  •  Absence patterns

A T&A system creates an objective audit trail that supports fair decision‑making and helps defend your decisions in the event of any claims.

2. Removal of the compensatory cap

With compensation potentially uncapped, the cost of getting HR wrong skyrockets.
 
Our software helps reduce risk through:
  •  Accurate records of lateness, sickness and conduct
  •  Automated reminders for reviews and return‑to‑work meetings
  •  Centralised documentation
 This reduces exposure to costly tribunal awards.

3. Zero‑hours and shift‑change regulation

New rights include:
  •  Contract requests reflecting actual hours worked
  •  7‑day notice for rota changes
  •  Compensation for short‑notice cancellations

Our T&A system can:
  •   Analyse real worked patterns to identify who qualifies for permanent hours
  •   Help manage rota planning
  •   Track changes
  •   Ensure audited compliance

4. Flexible working changes (reasonableness test)

Employers must show their refusal was reasonable, not just “within business grounds.”

An HR/T&A system helps by:
  •  Recording employee working patterns
  •  Tracking productivity and attendance
  •  Creating documentation to justify decisions

5. Day‑one right to Statutory Sick Pay

Absence must be recorded from day one, with no waiting period.

Our system provides:
  •  Instant absence logging
  •  Trigger alerts for absence thresholds
  •  Clear reporting for managing sickness trends

6. Strengthened harassment and family‑friendly protections

Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment and support staff.
 
Our software helps to support compliance with:
  •  Easy logging of incidents or concerns
  •  Tracking training completion
  •  Monitoring patterns of absence linked to workplace issues

There's a lot coming, so why not be ready well in advance? 

We offer a free consultation and demonstration to see how we can help you manage your strategy to deal with these coming changes.

Connecting through GB Shared or get in touch directly to arrange a consultation and demo.
Photos
why-time-attendance-software-is-essential-under-the-new-2026-27-employment-law-changes
Published by
North East Time Recorders Limited

North East Time Recorders Limited

Tyne and Wear, Blaydon-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE21 5RY

0191 4144241

View details