Time off for trade union duties and activities

Duties and activities have different pay rules

An employee who represents an independent union recognised by their employer can take reasonable paid time during working hours for qualifying duties and relevant training. Duties can include collective bargaining and agreed representation work. The current Acas Code sets out the scope and pay basis.

Members and representatives of a recognised union can also take reasonable time during working hours for qualifying union activities, such as workplace meetings or voting in union elections. There is normally no statutory requirement to pay for activity time, although an employer can agree to do so.

Reasonable depends on the actual request

There is no fixed allowance that fits every workplace. Ask for as much notice as practicable, the purpose, location, timing and likely duration. Consider the request on its merits, including operational cover, safety and time already taken. A simple written arrangement can make requests predictable without replacing the statutory right.

Keep industrial action and safety roles separate

There is no statutory right under these rules to time off for activities that consist of industrial action, as the Acas Code explains. A representative who is not taking part but is representing members involved can still fall within the normal paid-duty arrangements. Health and safety representatives also have separate time-off rights outside this Code.

Northern Ireland follows separate law and local guidance, while keeping the same important distinction between paid duties and normally unpaid activities. Check the nidirect guidance for the Northern Ireland route.

Recheck requests spanning 30 October 2026

Great Britain rules are due to add rights concerning facilities for union representatives and time off for union equality representatives on 30 October 2026, as the Acas transition page explains. Acas is also updating this Code, subject to parliamentary approval. Check the transition page and the current Code when a request falls on or after that date.