The introduction of the Employment Rights Act 2025 marks one of the most significant changes to UK employment law in recent years. While the legislation is not specific to the exams manager/officer role, it introduces a number of important reforms that may affect both exams managers/officers and the invigilators they recruit, manage and support.
For most exams managers/officers, the Act will have little impact on the day-to-day management, administration and conducting of examinations. However, it does strengthen employees' rights by improving job security, expanding access to statutory employment rights and placing greater responsibilities on employers to provide fair treatment, safe working environments and transparent employment practices. It also introduces reforms affecting areas such as unfair dismissal, statutory sick pay, parental leave, whistleblowing, workplace harassment and the use of zero-hours and low-hours contracts.
Many exams managers/officers are also responsible for recruiting, deploying and managing teams of invigilators. As a result, they should understand how the new legislation may influence recruitment processes, work scheduling, record keeping and the employment rights of casual staff. Working closely with the centre's HR department and senior leadership team will help ensure that employment practices remain fair, consistent and legally compliant.
To support members, we have worked with Morrish Solicitors, who have produced an informative video explaining the key changes introduced by the Act and their relevance to exams manager/officer. The NAEO August article explores those changes in more detail and highlights the practical implications for exams managers/officers.
As with any legislative change, understanding your responsibilities is the first step towards ensuring compliance. By keeping up to date with developments and working collaboratively with colleagues across your centre, you can continue to deliver exams/assessments confidently while supporting the rights and wellbeing of both yourself and the staff you manage.