Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Statutory time off

Employees and workers are entitled to take time off work for a number of statutory reasons.

The length of leave permitted, and whether or not employers are required to pay for the time off, varies according to the nature of the time off requested.

Failure to abide by the legislation will enable the employee to make a claim for compensation.

Reason for time off

Service requirement

Paid or unpaid

Length of leave permitted

Public duties (Justice of the Peace, official or member of a public body)

 

None

 

Unpaid

 

Reasonable

 

Antenatal care where attendance is recommended by a registered medical practitioner, midwife or nurse

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

Parental leave for a parent whose child is under the age of five (18 if the child is in receipt of disability living allowance), or who has an adopted child under the age of 18

 

One year’s continuous service

 

Unpaid

 

13 weeks in total (18 if the child is in receipt of disability living allowance), subject to a maximum of four weeks per annum

 

Trade union learning representative duties and training

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

Trade union representative duties and training

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

Health and safety representative duties and training

 

None

 

Paid

 

Such time off as is necessary

 

Trade union activities

 

None

 

Unpaid

 

Reasonable

 

Pension scheme trustee duties and training

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

Study or training for 16 or 17-year-olds, leading to a relevant academic or vocational qualification

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

Mobilisation of a member of the volunteer reserve of regular reserve force

 

None

 

Unpaid

 

Period of mobilsation (employee should return to work within six months of demobilisation)

 

Employees given notice of dismissal by reason of redundancy, to look for new employment or make arrangements for training for future employment

 

Two years’ continuous service

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

For dependants

 

None

 

Unpaid

 

Reasonable

 

Companion at a disciplinary or grievance hearing, request to consider working beyond retirement hearing or request for flexible working hearing

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

Employee representative duties and training

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

European Works Council, special negotiating body and information and consultation duties

 

None

 

Paid

 

Reasonable

 

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