ACAS (the government’s Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has just published a draft revised Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities for consultation.

The provisions of the Code are admissible in evidence and may be taken into account by tribunals when deciding questions relating to time off for trade union duties and activities. However, failure to observe any provision of the Code does not of itself render anyone liable to any proceedings.

As a part of the consultation, ACAS has also published draft guidance on “Developing Effective Employee Representation: A guide to managing provisions for time off, training and facilities”.

The consultation closes on 16 March 2009.

To download a copy of the code, go to:
www.acas.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=978&p=0