Right to request time off for training?

Employees in England will be given a legal right to request time off work for training under new measures revealed by the government.

Skills secretary John Denham has published a consultation into how the new right will work, initially outlined by Gordon Brown in the draft Queen's Speech in May this year, which he claimed would facilitate the skills training of an extra 300,000 employees each year. 

It is thought the right to request time off for training could work similarly to the right to request flexible working in the UK, where employers are able to refuse a request as long as they have seriously considered it and there is a valid business reason for doing so, however a consultation period has been arranged.

"Investment in skills is key to ensuring we come through with a stronger economy and making sure individuals can make the most of their abilities.” said Denham, “But we have still not persuaded every employer of the importance of skills.

The new entitlement, which could be brought in as early as 2010, providing the legislation passes successfully through Parliament, would apply to all employees with 26 weeks' minimum service - currently estimated at 22 million employees.

Commenting on the proposals, the Confederation of British Industry director-general, Richard Lambert said: “Employers will be pleased that the government has ruled out compelling them to train staff irrespective of their circumstances and opted to introduce the right to request instead. The most effective spur for training is the mutual benefit derived by both employer and employee, not regulation.”

The Time to Train consultation is open to all employers and employees in England and closes on 10 September 2008. The consultation “seeks views on proposals to give employees in England a right to a serious conversation with their employer about their skills development”. The government believes that by helping to raise employees' awareness and aspirations in relation to skills, the proposed right would support and encourage employers to invest in the skills of their employees as a driver of future business performance.

Yet another procedure to go through?! Watch this space for the implementation date.

If you require any further information about this, please contact Verity Slater of Follett Stock either by email at verity.slater@follettstock.co.uk, or by telephone on 01872 247284.