Make Work Pay: draft code of practice on trade union right of access

We’re inviting input on a draft code of practice that accompanies the new legal framework governing trade unions’ access to workplaces. This early engagement is part of our commitment to transparency, clarity, and evidence-based policy development, ensuring that the final guidance robustly supports both employers and trade unions in operating within a fair, lawful, and practical environment.

What this draft code aims to achieve
– Clarity and consistency: The code provides practical, easy-to-follow guidance on the rights and obligations of trade unions and employers under the new framework, reducing misunderstanding and disputes.
– Timely access while minimising disruption: It outlines reasonable timescales, notice requirements, and procedures to minimise disruption to business operations while safeguarding workers’ rights to representation.
– Proportionality and reasonableness: The guidance emphasises balanced access that respects workplace priorities, health and safety considerations, and the legitimate interests of employers and employees alike.
– Safeguards against abuse: It sets out safeguards to prevent misuse of access rights, ensuring requests are legitimate and aligned with the purposes of collective representation and employee welfare.

Key areas covered by the draft code
– Definitions and scope: Clarifying who is covered, what constitutes access, and in which settings the framework applies.
– Notice and scheduling: Guidance on how far in advance access requests should be made, acceptable communication channels, and how employers can reasonably schedule visits.
– Conduct during access: Standards for conduct, interaction with staff, and handling of sensitive information encountered during visits.
– Health, safety, and safeguarding: Alignment with workplace safety requirements, risk assessments, and measures to protect vulnerable workers.
– Governance and record-keeping: Requirements for documenting access requests, actions taken, and any refusals or mitigations provided.
– Resolving disputes: Processes for handling disagreements swiftly and fairly, including escalation routes and timing expectations.

Why your views matter
– Practical relevance: Real-world feedback helps ensure the code is not only technically correct but also workable in diverse workplace contexts, from small enterprises to large organisations.
– Balance and fairness: Stakeholder input helps refine the balance between the rights of trade unions and the operational needs of employers, contributing to a stable, constructive environment for collective representation.
– Clarity and accessibility: Input can highlight sections that may be confusing or overly legalistic, guiding revisions to clearer language and practical examples.

What we’re asking for
– Experience and impact: Share examples of how the current or draft framework would function in your organisation, including any anticipated challenges or benefits.
– Specific feedback: Identify sections that are unclear, overly burdensome, or insufficiently protective of workers’ rights. Suggest concrete wording or procedural tweaks where possible.
– Implementation considerations: Comment on training needs, communication channels, timeline feasibility, and any resource implications for employers or unions.

How to contribute
– Written responses: Please submit detailed comments on particular clauses or topics, with references to specific sections of the draft where possible.
– Short-form input: If you prefer, provide a concise overview of your key points, focusing on the most impactful issues.
– Engagement timing: We welcome early and ongoing feedback. Please submit by the stated deadline to ensure your views are considered in the next stage of refinement.

Next steps
– Collation and analysis: We will synthesise all feedback to identify common themes, practical implications, and any necessary amendments.
– Draft revision: The code of practice will be updated to reflect constructive input, with transparent justification for changes.
– Public update: A revised draft will be published for final comments, followed by publication of the final code and an accompanying explainer to support implementation.

We value constructive, evidence-based input that helps shape a code of practice that is clear, fair, and workable for employers, unions, and workers alike. If you have questions about the draft or the consultation process, please direct them to the designated contact points outlined in the consultation materials.

July 6, 2026 at 03:40PM
让工作有回报：关于工会进入工作场所权的新框架的草案行为准则
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/make-work-pay-draft-code-of-practice-on-trade-union-right-of-access
我们正在征求公众对关于工会进入工作场所的新法律框架的草案行为准则的意见。

阅读更多中文内容： 就新劳资框架下工会进入工作场所的准则草案征求意见