Statutory guidance

Industrial action ballots and notice to employers: code of practice

Practical guidance to trade unions and employers to promote the improvement of industrial relations and good practice in the conduct of trade union industrial action ballots.

• From: Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 1 September 2005
• Last updated: 5 March 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Code of practice on industrial action ballots and notice to employers

PDF, 561 KB, 28 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The code has been updated to reflect the legal provisions on industrial action ballots and notice to employers made by the Employment Rights Act 2025. It supersedes the code of practice on industrial action ballots and notice to employers issued in 2017.

Published 1 September 2005

Last updated 5 March 2026 + show all updates

1. 5 March 2026

   The code of practice has been updated to reflect the legal provisions on industrial action ballots and information to employers made by the Employment Rights Act 2025.

2. 18 February 2026

   Updated the date this code is likely to remain effective until.

3. 9 January 2026

   Added explanation that this code of practice is in the process of being revised, but this version remains effective until 11.59pm on 17 February 2026.

4. 24 February 2017

   Finalised version of updated code published

5. 8 December 2016

   Explanatory memorandum added

6. 1 September 2005

   First published.