Time off rights for equality and environment reps

A number of unions have appointed equality reps whose role it is to promote the equality agenda in the workplace. Environment reps have also been recruited and their focus is on “greening” the workplace and setting up initiatives such as energy saving at work. These roles do not have any statutory rights to facility time.

Although they lack specific legal rights, their work may count as collective bargaining activity. General union Unite points out that, while some equality reps will also be shop stewards, safety or union learning reps, others will be union equality reps only. Public sector union UNISON argues it is important to get employers to agree to recognise these representatives and afford them the adequate facility time to carry out their roles.