Time off for union activities

A. Yes, usually. But this is a right to reasonable and unpaid time off and applies to members of a recognised independent trade union.

In accordance with section 170 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Consolidation Act 1992, an employer must allow an employee who is a member of a recognised independent trade union to take time off during working hours for the purpose of taking part in activities of the union, except activities which consist of industrial action.


S170 also sets out the right of employee members of a recognised independent trade union to take time off during working hours for the purpose of having access to services provided by a union learning rep.


The amount of time off, the specific union activities and the arrangements for time off must be “reasonable in all the circumstances”. And they must be decided with reference to the relevant provisions in the Code of Practice — Time off for Trade Union Duties and Activities published by the Acas employment advisory body. 


Paragraph 37 of the Code gives the following examples of activities for which members should be given time off: voting in union elections; meeting full-time officers to discuss issues relevant to the workplace; and attending workplace meetings to discuss and vote on matters resulting from employer negotiations.


www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/n/k/Acas_Code_of_Practice_Part-3-accessible-version-July-2011.pdf