Summary of the proposal
3. The key features proposed for the right to request time to train are that:
- Those employees who have a contract of employment in the public or private sector (including volunteers) and who have worked for their employer for a minimum of 26 weeks would be eligible.
- Training must be linked to helping employees to be more productive and effective at work and to helping to improve the performance of the business for which they work.
- There is no compulsion on employers to pay for training, nor to grant every request, however, they should accept a duty to consider any request.
- Employers have the right to turn down requests based on clear business grounds and employees have the right to appeal.
- The training would not be bound to qualifications nor to any specific time or location - these are matters for discussion and agreement between the employer and employee.
- Requests are limited to one in every 12 month period but could cover more than one type or course of training.
How to respond
4. We welcome your views and comments on the proposal and a series of questions are set out in Chapter 4. Your responses can be submitted electronically to timetotrain@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or in writing to Lynn Forsyth, Scottish Government, Europa Building, 450 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8LG. The closing date for responses is Friday 31 October 2008. This consultation document is available electronically on the Scottish Government website, under the consultation section www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current. If you are unable to access the document or would like it in a different format, please contact Lynn Forsyth on 0141 242 0215. The closing date for responses is Friday 31 October 2008.