News: New rights to take time off for training

New regulations which came into force in April of this year entitle employees with at least 26 weeks' continuous service to ask their employers for unpaid time off work to undertake study or training.

17-JUL-10

New regulations entitled the 'Employee Study and Training (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) Regulations 2010', which came into force in April of this year entitle employees with at least 26 weeks' continuous service to ask their employers for unpaid time off work to undertake study or training relevant to their productivity and effectiveness in their job.

Employers must consider any requests received from eligible employees in a similar way to flexible-working requests, i.e. both parties must meet within 28 days of the request being received to discuss it, and within 14 days of that meeting, the employer must write to the employee with their decision. The employer can refuse the request but the letter must explain the grounds for refusal. The employee can appeal refusal within 14 days of receipt of the letter.

The regulations only apply to employers with at least 250 employees but it is anticipated that the right will be extended to cover all employees from April 2011.

The new rights do not apply to locums.

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