August 2026 – As part of the latest Employment Rights Act changes, the Acas Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities has been updated. As well as introducing new guidance on the rights of union equality representatives, the revised Code updates the guidance for all trade union representatives and employers.
The Code sets out the standards employers should follow when agreeing time off, training and facilities. It’s therefore worth all reps taking a look to understand what’s changed and ensure local arrangements reflect the latest guidance.
Labour Research dept. (2025) https://www.lrd.org.uk/free-read/special-leave-significant-life-events
Holidays, time off, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, career breaks and the holiday entitlement calculator https://www.gov.uk/employment/time-off
Changes to the Working Time Regulations were introduced by the government on 1 January 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simplifying-holiday-entitlement-and-holiday-pay-calculations/holiday-pay-and-entitlement-reforms-from-1-january-2024