Continuing Education

New Right to Request Time Off for Training in the UK

London (UK), May 2010 - Starting in April 2011, The Right to Request Time Off for Training was extended to all organisations in the UK. Previously, only businesses with 250 or more staff were allowed to ask for time to train for accredited and unaccredited training to help them develop skills relevant to their job, workplace, or business.




Employees who have been continuously employed for 26 weeks can request unpaid time off to train or study on a topic that will increase their effectiveness in their job or is relevant to their employer's business. There is no limit on the amount of time, study, or training that the employee can request, but the employee can make only one request in any twelve-month period.

As part of Learning at Work Day and in partnership with unionlearn, the Campaign for Learning will be promoting this new right to businesses and employees, and highlighting how the right can be used positively in your workplace to further support and build a learning culture. In the lead up to Learning at Work Day, you will be able to access:

  • The Learning at Work Day downloadable mini-guide to the new right, which will contain all the essential facts, further information, action points, and activity ideas to promote the right in your workplace for Learning at Work Day and beyond.
  • A special theme and downloadable poster that you can use to highlight the new right in your workplace.
  • A range of articles from people involved in the support and delivery of workplace learning that will explore the benefits and potential of the new right and how it may work in practice.