Revised code of practice on time off for trade union duties in force

The revised "Acas code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities" comes into force today. It replaces the code of practice issued in 2003. 

Employees who are union representatives, or members of an independent trade union recognised by their employer, are permitted reasonable time off during working hours to carry out certain trade union duties or to take part in trade union activities. 

The aim of the code of practice is to improve the effectiveness of relationships between employers and trade unions by giving practical guidance on how the statutory provisions on time off for trade union duties and activities should work. 

For example, the code of practice gives guidance on the calculation of pay for time off for trade union duties and states that, where pay is linked to performance targets, employers might need to adjust such targets to take account of the reduced time the representative has to achieve that target. The code of practice also states that employers should have in mind the difficulties for trade union representatives and members in ensuring effective representation and communication with, for example, employees on maternity or paternity leave and workers with disabilities. 

Failure to observe the provisions of the code of practice can be taken into account in employment tribunal proceedings relating to time off for trade union duties and activities. 

• Acas code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities The revised code of practice is available on the Acas website. 

Also

How to handle statutory rights to time off work in special circumstances from the XpertHR "how to" section. 

The XpertHR quick reference section pulls together in one place key employment law facts including time limits for bringing tribunal claims relating to trade union membership and activities and compensation for breach of time off rights. 

The XpertHR policies and documents section includes model policies and documents on time off work for trade union duties and activities, including a policy on time off for trade union learning representatives and a request for statutory time off form.