Time to train is good news for workers

A new right allowing workers to request time off work for training could potentially benefit thousands of Usdaw members.

The right will mean that employers will now have the legal requirement to consider any requests from employees asking for time off work to access work-related training.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said:

“This new right is good news for Usdaw members. Training is beneficial for employees both within their jobs and to help them progress with their careers. It helps to build staff morale and increase motivation.

“Usdaw works with a number of good employers who already make excellent provisions for staff training. This new right will allow us to spread that good practice to all our members.

“We hope that this will give workers the confidence to look at innovative ways of improving their skills, perhaps collectively organising training through their union learning rep.”

The new right to have a request for time off for training considered will come into effect on 6 April 2010. Employers will still have the right to turn down requests, but they must give a good business reason to do so.

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 380,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

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