Law queries

I would like to stand as a school governor but am worried that I would need time off work to attend meetings. Is there any law that would give me the right to take the time?

If you are a member of the governing board of a local authority school you will have the right to a reasonable amount of time off to perform your duties. However, there is no right to be paid while off work. The legislation does not say what would be regarded as a reasonable amount of time off. In deciding this your employer can take account of how much time you have already had, how much you need to perform your public duty and what effect your absence has on the business. These time off rights also apply to other public duties like JPs, councillors, tribunal, health authority or police authority members, prison board visitors and members of environmental agencies.

* More information: Employment Rights Act, section 50