What facilities must be provided?

Regulation 13(8) sets out minimum facilities the employer must provide for representatives. These are:

• access to the affected employees; and

• such accommodation and other facilities as may be “appropriate.”

Where there is a recognised union, the employer must provide appropriate facilities for trade union reps to carry out union duties.

In 2010, Acas updated its Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities which can be downloaded from its website. The facilities suggested by Acas include:

• access to means of communication, such as phone, email, intranet and internet;

• accommodation for meetings and pre-meetings;

• dedicated office space; and

• access to training.

The larger the employer, the more facilities reps might legitimately expect.

www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/n/k/Acas_Code_of_Practice_Part-3-accessible-version-July-2011.pdf