Right to Request Time Off for Training - Tue 06 Apr 2010

From April 6 2010, employees who have been continuously employed for at least 26 weeks, in organisations with 250 or more employees, have the right to request time off to undertake training. (This will be extended to companies employing less than 250 people in April 2011).

Employees will be able to request any training that will help them to be more productive and effective at work, and help their employer to improve productivity and business performance. The application process will be based on that for applying for flexible working. (For details see our Flexible working and Training and Development toolkits).

Employers will be obliged to consider seriously requests that they receive, but will be able to refuse requests where there is a good business reason for doing so, including where they feel that the requested training will not help to improve business performance or productivity. There will be no obligation on the employer to fund a request.