The CIPP is in support of the Government considering offering employees of small to medium businesses the right to request time off for training in the future. Following a Government decision not to extend the right to request time off for training to organisations with less than 250 employees, the CIPP welcome this decision being reviewed later as part of the Plan for Growth.
In the CIPP survey it was asked if the right to request time off for training should only apply in organisations with 250+ employees, and not be extended to small and medium sized organisations. The poll found 80% of respondents disagreed and said that it should be extended as planned.
Therefore, as detailed in the consultation if the economic climate improves, employees of SMEs could find the right is extended to them in the future.
Karen Thomson, associate director of policy, research and strategic visibility at the CIPP, said: "Although we are disappointed that opportunities for employees to request time to train in small and medium organisations will not be afforded we recognise the feedback received by BIS and the reasons for not extending it.
"According to survey feedback from the CIPP members 80% said that it should be extended to small and medium but with a division on whether the regulations should be delayed". The consultation details that 'This decision will allow time for the evidence base to support the effectiveness of the policy to develop over time. The position will be kept under review. Any future decision on the policy will take account of evidence about levels of employer and employee investment in skills, as set out in The Plan for Growth (23 March 2011)'.
