Time to train extension now ruled out
Under review. The statutory right to request time off to train currently only applies to those employees in firms with 250+ staff. It was due to be extended to all employees from April 2011. However, the government opted to place the legislation “under review” at the last minute.
Good news. At the end of July it confirmed that this right will not be widened to include those staff in small and medium-sized businesses as previously planned. This is the government’s view “for the foreseeable future”. In reality, this means that nothing is likely to change until 2015 - if at all - so you don’t need to worry about this type of request.
Tip. If you employ fewer than 250 staff and receive a time to train application, you don’t have to bother rejecting it on business grounds. Simply notify the employee that the legislation doesn’t apply to your workplace and leave it at that. They’ve no right of appeal.
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