Right to time off for training

Like union reps, ULRs have a right to time off for training (see Chapter 5) but in their case there is a specific “training commitment” that must be met in order to have ULR status. The training condition will be met if:

• the employee has undergone sufficient training to enable them to carry out the required activities and the trade union has informed the employer of this in writing; or

• the trade union has in the last six months given the employer notice in writing that the employee will be undergoing such training; or

• within six months of the trade union giving the employer notice in writing that the employee will be undergoing training, the employee has done so, and the trade union has informed the employer.

Sufficient training is defined by the Code of Practice. It should be approved by the TUC or an individual union, and be independent from the employer. Importantly, the Acas Code adds that “during the six month period in which he or she is undergoing this training, the ULRs must be allowed time off to perform (their) duties” (paragraph 29).