Employers must respond to requests for access within 15 working days from the day an access application is received. The parties can agree to extend the deadline if they want to.
Handling an access request
When an employer receives an access request, they should check if:
- it's from a trade union with a certificate of independence
- the reasons for requesting access are allowed by the legislation
- all the required information has been included
- they need to provide any information to the trade union
- they need to provide updates to the trade union later – for example, about office relocations or team restructuring
- there is already a recognition agreement covering the same group of workers with a different trade union – and notify the trade unions if this is the case
If any information is missing, the employer should ask for it straight away.
Responding to an access request
The employer should respond by saying:
- whether they accept the request in full
- if they do not accept it in full, which parts they do and do not accept
- the reasons for rejecting any part of the request, in as much detail as possible
Responses should be sent using the response form template within 15 working days of receiving the request.
Respond to an access request using the template on GOV.UK
If a request is not accepted in full
The employer and trade union have 25 working days after the employer's response is sent to negotiate.
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