Statutory guidance

Draft Acas code on time off for trade union duties and activities

The draft Acas code of practice sets out revised guidance on time off and providing facilities for union duties.

• From: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 7 July 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Draft Acas code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6688-6, E03638358

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 435 KB, 44 pages

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Explanatory memorandum to draft code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 207 KB, 6 pages

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Draft Acas code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities (large print PDF)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6688-6, E03638358 07/26

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 370 KB, 72 pages

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Details

This draft code of practice revises an existing Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) Code on time off for trade union duties and activities. It has been updated to reflect the changes to the statutory framework on the rights to time off and the provision of facilities for trade union representatives made by the Employment Rights Act 2025.

The draft code was laid before Parliament in July 2026. Subject to completion of parliamentary procedure, the intention is that it will be brought into force alongside the changes to the statutory framework in October 2026.

The explanatory memorandum sets out the purpose of the code, the wider context and the potential impact of the legislation.

Published 7 July 2026