Collection

Trade unions: guidance and codes of practice

Guidance, codes of practice and case studies for trade unions, employers, workers and the public.

• From: Department for Business and Trade and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 12 November 2012
• Last updated: 6 December 2023 — See all updates

Trade union legislation is reserved to Westminster, and applies to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). Employment law, including trade union law is devolved to Northern Ireland.

See more guidance on trade unions and workers rights.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) together with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish national statistics on trade union membership.

Codes of practice (statutory guidance)

• Code of practice: picketing
  • 11 March 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• Reasonable steps to be taken by a trade union: code of practice
  • 6 December 2023
  • Statutory guidance
• Code of practice: industrial action ballots and notice to employers
  • 24 February 2017
  • Statutory guidance
• Code of practice: access and unfair practices during recognition and derecognition ballots
  • 5 September 2005
  • Statutory guidance
• Trade union executive elections: guide for trade unions and their members
  • 9 April 2009
  • Statutory guidance

Guidance

• Minimum service levels (MSL): issuing work notices
  • 16 November 2023
  • Guidance
• Trade union political funds
  • 22 February 2018
  • Guidance
• Industrial action and the law
  • 9 April 2010
  • Guidance
• Industrial action and the law: guide for employees and trade unions members
  • 9 April 2010
  • Guidance
• Blacklisting of trade unionists - guidance
  • 2 March 2010
  • Guidance
• Trade union funds and accounting records
  • 8 May 2006
  • Guidance
• Payment of union subscriptions through check off
  • 8 May 2006
  • Guidance
• Union membership: rights of members and non-members
  • 8 May 2006
  • Guidance
• Unjustifiable discipline by a trade union
  • 8 May 2006
  • Guidance
• Industrial action and the law: citizen's right to prevent disruption
  • 8 May 2005
  • Guidance

Policy

• Reps in action: how workplaces can gain from modern union representation
  • 13 May 2009
  • Policy paper

Published 12 November 2012
Last updated 6 December 2023 + show all updates

1. 6 December 2023

   'Reasonable steps to be taken by a trade union: code of practice' added to 'Codes of practice' section.

2. 5 December 2023

   Minimum service levels (MSL): issuing work notices guidance added to collection.

3. 8 March 2017

   Updated Codes of Practice added.

4. 12 November 2012

   First published.