When must an employer tell staff about a change to their terms?

Corven guide, 6 October 2026

Within one month of the change at the latest. Section 4 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 requires an employer to give each worker a written statement of any change to the particulars that must appear in their written statement of employment.

What triggers the duty

Section 4(1) applies when, after the material date, there is a change in any matter whose particulars sections 1 to 3 require to be included or referred to in the written statement. That covers the core terms such as pay, hours, holidays, notice and place of work, and the note on disciplinary and grievance procedures.

The deadline

Section 4(3) requires the statement of the change to be given at the earliest opportunity and in any event no later than one month after the change. Where the change is that the worker must work outside the United Kingdom for more than one month, it must be given by the time the worker leaves to start that work, if that is earlier.

Changes that can be made by reference

Section 4(4) allows the statement of a change to sick pay, other paid leave, pensions, or disciplinary rules and further steps to refer the worker to another reasonably accessible document. That is one reason a staff handbook that is kept current is useful: the handbook can carry the detail.

This guide is general information about the law of England and Wales. It is not advice on your situation.