Employment e-Brief – Statutory changes due to come into force in April are delayed

The right to request time off for training

If you are an employer with 250 or more employees, you should be aware that your employees have a right to request unpaid time off to undertake study or training provided that certain criteria are fulfilled.

It was intended that this was going to be extended to all employers regardless of size from 6 April 2011, however the Government has confirmed that it is going to postpone implementation so that the right balance is struck between support for training and the need to minimise the burden of regulation for smaller companies. The Government will now undertake further discussion and consideration about the right to time off for training. We will update you when developments occur.

The Bribery Act 2010

The Bribery Act 2010 introduces rigorous new anti-corruption regulations that will affect all employers.

The Bribery Act 2010 was due to come into force in April, however it has been confirmed that the implementation will be delayed. This is because the statutory guidance has not yet been finalised. The implementation date will be pushed back until three months after the final version of the guidance has been published.

For further information about the employee right to time off for training or the Bribery Act 2010, please contact Bryony Goldspink (bryony.goldspink@gordonsllp.com) or any other member of the employment team.