Right to request time for training will not extend to SME staff

The right to request time off for training will not be extended to SME employees for at least four years.

The Government made the announcement after studying the responses to a public consultation which began last year.

Staff at firms employing 250 people or more were given the right to request time off for training in April 2010. The Labour Government had intended that this right should be extended to employees of smaller firms from April 2011.

That decision was suspended by the Coalition Government pending the outcome of the consultation.

There were a total of 147 responses covering a wide spectrum from employers to trade unions. The Government says opinion was polarised meaning there was no clear indication that the right should be extended. Nor was it safe to conclude that it should be abolished altogether.

The Government response to the consultation says: “Given this position, the right to request time to train will therefore not be extended to employees of small and mediums sized organisations for the foreseeable future.

“The right will continue to be available to employees in large organisations with 250 or more employees.”

The right will be evaluated over the next four years and reviewed by April 2015. A decision will then be taken on whether it should be extended or repealed.

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