Right to make a request in relation to study or training

From 6 April 2010, employees in organisations with at least 250 employees will be able to make a request in relation to study or training and will be entitled to a meeting with their employer to discuss the request, and to be given reasons for any refusal. In this article we look in detail at the legal requirements surrounding this deceptively simple principle. 

• The right to make a request in relation to study or training Although the right is commonly referred to as a right to request time off for training, it is not limited to requests for time off. Section 63D(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 provides simply that the application must be made "for the purpose of enabling the employee to undertake study or training (or both)". While many requests will involve time off, the right would also cover a request for the employer to provide or organise training. 

Also

Policies and documents XpertHR provides a model policy on the right to make a request in relation to study or training, along with accompanying model letters to enable employers to deal with statutory training requests.