Asking for time off

Employees should follow their organisation鈥檚 rules to ask for time off. If there aren鈥檛 any they can write to their employer saying it鈥檚 a request 鈥榰nder Section 63D of the Employment Rights Act 1996鈥� with the following details:

  • the date
  • the subject matter of the study or training
  • where and when it would take place
  • who鈥檒l be providing the training
  • the name of the qualification they could get - if any
  • why they think this study or training will help them do their job better and help their employer鈥檚 business
  • if they鈥檝e made a request before and when

An employer does not have to consider the request if all this information is not included.

Employees can only make 1 request a year.

If the employee changes their mind

The employee must tell their employer if they:

  • do not start the agreed training or study
  • do not finish the training or study
  • do a different course or plan to do a different course from the one agreed