New consultation could weaken employees’ right to request time off to train, warns TUC

A further review of employees’ right to request time off for training, which came into effect from April 6, risks weakening the legislation “as a favour to business organisations who consider support to train staff as nothing more than burdensome red tape”, warns Brendan Barber, General Secretary of union TUC.

The legal right for workers in companies with more than 250 employees to be able to request time off to take up relevant training has already been subject to a consultation.

However, John Hayes, Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning minister, believes a further review is needed to see if it is really improving training opportunities for employees.

“We believe it is important that all regulations are properly scrutinised and we are therefore interested in hearing views on the future of this right and its role in promoting training in the workplace, which I see as vital to our economic success,” said Mr Hayes.

“I have asked my officials to ensure that this consultation is actively promoted to ensure that we get a broad range of views.”

Mr Barber argues the right has already opened new doors for workers to get the skills they need to further their careers.

“But having already consulted extensively, we are concerned that this latest consultation will simply weaken the right as a favour to business organisations who consider support to train staff as nothing more than burdensome red tape,” he said.

“Ten million workers received no training last year. Reducing existing support for staff will send out a powerful message that the UK Government and its business representatives do not consider skills a priority – a short-term attitude that will damage our future economic competitiveness.”

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills announced that the consultation will be shorter than the normal 12 weeks because of previous reviews of the right in 2008. The deadline for the submission of representations is September 15, 2010.

Jason Rainbow

(Pictured: Brendan Barber, General Secretary of union TUC)