United Kingdom
Cookies and privacy
skip navigation
Browse frequently asked questions and answers on key HR issues. Navigate by topic or key word search. View latest additions or suggest a question to the XpertHR editorial team.
Which duties are union representatives allowed paid time off to carry out? Which duties are union learning representatives allowed paid time off to carry out? Which activities are union members allowed time off to take part in? Are union members entitled to be paid for time off to take part in union activities? Is there a limit to how much time off an employer must allow a union representative to take? If an employer does not recognise a union, does it have to allow representatives of that union paid time off?
Where an employer fails to allow a union representative or member reasonable time off for duties or activities, the employee can make a complaint to the employment tribunal.
Where the tribunal finds that the employer failed to allow the union representative or member reasonable time off for union duties or activities, it has the power to make a declaration to that effect and award the employee compensation that it considers to be just and equitable. With regards to a failure to pay a union representative for time off, the tribunal can award the amount that should have been paid.
Even where the employee does not make a tribunal complaint, a failure to afford union representatives or members appropriate time off is likely to have a detrimental effect on employee relations.
Want to see more?