Employees who work in an organisation with 250 or more employees have the right to request time for study or training, known as 'time to train'.

Employees with at least twenty-six weeks continuous service have a have a statutory right to request time to train and there is no limit on how long the training may take. This right extends to training leading to a qualification and training to help develop the skills relevant to the particular job an employee does.

The employee can make only one request in every twelve month period and must make their request in writing.

You are not obliged to pay for the training or pay the employee whilst they are undertaking the training. You are, however, obliged, within twenty-eight days of the request, to properly give it proper consideration and either:

• accept it and provide the decision in writing or
• arrange a meeting with the employee and give a decision within fourteen days of the meeting.

To avoid uncertainty within your workforce you should ensure that you have a clearly drafted time to train policy to make your employees aware of their right but importantly to ensure that you have the best possible policy for your business requirements whilst staying within the parameters of the law.

Please call us on 08000 320 974 for assistance and advise on dealing with your responsibilities to allow 'time to train'.

Read more about time off for training here.

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