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Time off

Paid time off

An employer may be required to give paid time off to employees to:

  • Undertake trade union duties or undergo training for such duties if they are officials (e.g. shop steward) of a recognised trade union
  • Undertake the functions of a safety representative or undergo union approved training for such functions
  • Attend appointments for ante-natal care (e.g. at an ante-natal clinic)
  • Attend an adoption appointment
  • Look for another job or make arrangements for training for future employment if they have been given notice of dismissal because of redundancy
  • Undertake study in order to obtain a relevant qualification
  • Perform duties as a pension scheme trustee

Unpaid time off

Employees may also be entitled to time off work, but not necessarily with pay:

  • To take part in certain trade union activities.
  • To undertake public duties (e.g. as a Justice of the Peace, member of a local authority or a health authority, governor of a state maintained educational establishment)
  • For parental leave or care of a dependant
  • To take up duties as a reservist in the armed forces
  • To undertake studies or training

What is the law guide

The Desktop Lawyer law guide aims to present the law to you in a comprehensive yet jargon-free and easy-to-read format. Our law guide is constantly kept up to date with changes in business and family law by our team of in house solicitors, and includes information across all the legal jurisdictions in the UK.

Our law guide is free to use. Where we provide documents related to this area of law, or where they may help you with any legal issue in this area, they will be listed to the right of this message.

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