When staff request time off for continuing professional development and other studies relevant to their role there are the key points that need to be considered
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on NEU
Individual employers will have their own policy on their employees’ rights to time off for continuing professional development (CPD) and other studies relevant to their role. There are two main ways you can approach your training request:
In a private meeting: one-to-one or in your annual appraisal would present good opportunities to ask your line manager about training, CPD or study.
By sending an email to your line manager: include a link to the training you would like to attend and provide some information. Be sure to include the time and date, cost (if any), how long your absence from the workplace would be and what the benefit to your pupils, and/or the workplace, would be.
Who can’t ask for time off to train
Some staff can’t ask for time off for training or study. This includes:
an agency worker;
those in the armed forces;
a young person who’s already got the right to take paid time off for study or training.
Turning down the request
An employer can only turn down a request if:
the training wouldn’t benefit their school;
they would run up extra costs for the (please note that most of NEU’s training is FREE);
they wouldn’t be able to meet demands;
they can’t re-organise the work among other members of staff;
they can’t recruit extra staff to cover;
it would damage quality and performance;
it conflicts with planned structural changes.
Paying for the training
Your employer does not have to pay for your training or study. They can choose to pay all or part of the fees if they think it will benefit the school – for example if your employer asks you to attend training they would pay the cost of this course.
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