Thursday 2 April 2026, 11:30am JMW Webinar: Employment Rights 2025

This one-hour online session will provide a clear, practical overview of the most significant employment law developments affecting the sports sector — and what your organisation should be doing now to prepare.

Aim of the Webinar

Employment law is entering a period of significant reform in 2026, with the introduction of the Employment Rights Act. For National Governing Bodies (NGBs), these changes present both compliance risks and governance challenges.

This one-hour session will provide a clear, practical overview of the most significant employment law developments affecting the sports sector — and what your organisation should be doing now to prepare. Key topics include:

• • Reforms likely to affect most sporting organisations
  • Immediate compliance starting points
  • Key risk areas for boards and senior leadership
  • Impact on Volunteers

Why This Matters for NGBs

Many NGBs operate with lean teams, complex workforce structures (including employees, consultants and funded roles), and board-level oversight responsibilities.

The 2025 reforms - combined with existing employment obligations — mean that organisations must be proactive in reviewing policies, contracts and procedures.

Failing to act early increases the risk of:

• • Tribunal claims
  • Reputational damage
  • Governance scrutiny

What we will cover:

This session will focus on the employment law changes most likely to affect NGBs, including:

• • Key 2026 legislative developments
  • Dismissal and probation reforms
  • Day 1 rights, including family leave and SSP
  • Casual workers and guaranteed hours
  • Harassment prevention duties
  • Introduction of the Fair Work Agency

Who will be leading the webinar?

Our legal partner, JMW, will be leading this session. Laura Wharton and Charlotte Beeley will take us through the major changes to Employment Rights and how this directly affects NGBs.

Laura Wharton (left) and Charlotte Beeley (right)

Learning Outcomes

Attendees will:

• • Understand the most significant employment law developments for 2026.
  • Identify which reforms are most likely to affect NGBs.
  • Recognise existing employment obligations that require review.
  • Leave with a practical starting-point compliance checklist.

*For Members of the Sport and Recreation Alliance Only

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