Working with trade unions: employers
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Right of trade unions to access your workplace
Unions have the right to request access to workplaces to speak with workers whether or not:
- you recognise the union
- workers are members of a union
Unions have the right to request access to workplaces to:
- facilitate collective bargaining
- meet, support, represent, recruit or organise workers
You should:
- respond within 15 working days of the union making the request
- work with the union to agree on access
When you have reached an agreement, you should also facilitate any access. This can be:
- in person, such as allowing union meetings in the workplace
- digital, such as sending an email to workers on the union’s behalf
If you cannot agree on access to the workplace, the union can refer the case to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC). The CAC will decide on whether the union can have access.
Read the guidance on workplace access for more information.