Your rights when taking part in industrial action

What's changing

• From 18 February 2026, you will be protected from unfair dismissal for taking part in industrial action, whatever the length of the strike action.

Key changes

• The ‘12 week cap’ on protection from unfair dismissal for taking part in industrial action is being removed.
• The protection now applies whatever the length of the strike action.
• The same protection applies to both strike and action short of strike.

What this means for you

You can take industrial action without fear of being dismissed by your employer for your participation in that industrial action.

What you can do now

You don't need to do anything to benefit from this right.

Where to get help

Unfair dismissal - Dismissals - Acasopens eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com in a new tab