Time off for training

The key proposals in the consultation launched today are that:

Employees can ask their employer for time off to train where the training will benefit both them and the employer
Requests do not have to be for accredited programmes but could be for short, unaccredited training

The employer must carefully consider each request but could decline it for a good business reason and there will be no requirements where an employee was recruited less than 26 weeks previously

Employers agreeing a request can opt to meet the employee's salary during training, but are not obliged to do so if it is 'off the job' training. The employer may organise the training or indeed pay for it, but there is no obligation to do so. Work-based training would count as 'time to train'. Alternatively, the employee could organise their own training

The practical arrangements which employers would follow would be based on the existing right to request flexible working, which many employers are already familiar.

The consultation will close on October 31.