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Details on the government consultation and what NHS employers need to know.

The government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the public duties that are eligible for statutory time off work. The consultation seeks views on updates to the list of eligible duties and how the entitlement works in practice.

The consultation, led by the Department for Business and Trade, follows a review of the public duties listed under section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. It aims to ensure the entitlement continues to support civic participation while reflecting the way public services and workplaces operate today.

The following existing arrangements are not part of this consultation and will not change: the right to time off will continue to be for a reasonable amount of time, employers will not be required to pay employees for this time off but may choose to, and employers will still be able to refuse a request where the absence would cause disruption to the organisation.

What is being proposed?

The government is seeking views on proposed additions and removals from the list of public duties that qualify for statutory time off work.

Proposed additions

Roles proposed for inclusion include:

• special constables
• governors for academies and academy trusts
• members of Conservation Boards and Corporate Joint Committees
• audit committee and governing body members of designated educational institutions
• fee-paid judges
• members of Integration Joint Boards
• lay panel...

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