Time off for training – It’s the Law!
20 May 2010
Yes it's true, from 6 April 2010 employees with at least six months service in organisations where there are more than 250 employees were given the right to request unpaid time off for training.
This is a right just like any other such as the statutory right to have time off as annual leave or maternity leave.
The training must benefit both the employee and the employer and consider the following:
- Does it improve the employees effectiveness at work?
- And as a result does it improve the employer’s business?
Well you may think this is obvious and why would organisations pay for training that doesn’t benefit them directly, but some do!
There are some groups that are not eligible as follows:
- Members of the armed forces
- School age children
- Agency workers – freelance/contractors
- Employees who are 16-18 who already have a separate statutory right
Top Tips on “Time off for Training Requests”
1 - Employers will have to consider such requests carefully following a set procedure such as holding a meeting, listen to the ideas, or reading a training proposal considering the request formally.
2 - Employers can only refuse such time off if you can justify the reasons such as additional costs or impact on customers or where the training will not benefit the employer’s business.
3 - Employers are not obliged to pay for the training or the time spent away from work.
4 - When times are hard we understand that employers do not want to bear the costs of the training yet sometimes employees may be happy to pay themselves. If this is the case we would always recommend that an employer does pay them for their time out of the workplace as a gesture of good will. Remember - deducting pay sends out a very negative message.
Finally watch out, from April 2011 this legislation will cover all organisations regardless of size!
Here is the list of all the training sessions that People Vision HR offer. Why not call us now on 0845 4599710 for a discussion regarding your needs?
Some other articles on this topic which you may find useful
- Time off for training regulations a mystery to one in five employers - Personnel Today
- Hammonds Update – Law Firm
- Workers get the right to request time off for training – Training Journal
 |
Article written by Alyson Pellowe: Managing HR Consultant People Vision HR |
