Strategy | Your essential HR & payroll checklist for 2026

As the saying goes, ‘new year, new you’. Yes, we know it’s a phrase that usually belongs in a January gym advert or alongside a soon-to-be-abandoned New Year’s resolution. But for HR and payroll, 2026 really will mark a new beginning.

This year, some of the biggest changes we’ve seen in decades are expected to land as the Employment Rights Bill takes shape, raising expectations around fairness and transparency. Add to that the recent Budget’s impact on pay, tax and employment costs, it’s fair to say HR and payroll teams will have plenty to keep them busy.

We know this can all feel a little overwhelming, so we’ve pulled together a clear view of what your year is likely to look like based on what we know so far. Here’s our essential HR & payroll checklist to help you understand what’s changing when and what’s worth preparing for now.

What’s changing and why it matters

If there’s one theme running throughout HR and payroll in 2026, it’s preparation. We’re starting to see the first phases of major employment law reforms take effect alongside Budget-driven payroll changes that will shape how pay, tax, and employee rights are managed this year. Together, they point to a year where getting the basics right will really matter.