Can my employer ask me to do training in my own time?
John Johnson
Updated on March 29, 2026
Legally, you do not have to pay employees if they request time off for training or study that isn’t required for them to carry out their job.
How do I inform my manager about attending training?
The letter should present the request in the best possible light to maximize the likelihood the boss will give his or her approval. The first paragraph of the letter should state the reason for the letter and describe the training program. It should mention the subject of the program, where it is offered and the dates.
Can my employer force me to attend training?
However, as an employer you are legally obliged to allow reasonable requests for training from your employees, as well as ongoing training for young employees. That time off should be paid time, too, and is usually part of their training contract.
How do you ask your boss for training?
Follow these steps to draft an effective training request letter:
- Research.
- Ask for help.
- Present the benefits.
- Show your commitment to the company.
- Outline the options.
- Show the return on investment potential.
- Use a professional format.
- Praise your supervisor in the letter.
Can I do training on furlough?
Yes, a furloughed employee can undertake study and training, i.e. to maintain their skill set or upskill themselves whilst furloughed, as long as the purpose of this is to improve the employee’s effectiveness in their employer’s business or the performance of their employer’s business.
Can I do training whilst on furlough?
Yes, employees can undertake training whilst furloughed. Government guidance also explains that training for employees whilst furloughed is allowed on the basis that they are not making money for their employer (or a company linked or associated to their employer), or providing services to their employer.
How do I write a mail to manager?
Follow these steps to ensure you craft a professional request for approval letter.
- Choose your contact method.
- Address the recipient professionally.
- Start with what you need.
- Explain why you need it.
- Tell them why they should care.
- Show your enthusiasm for their response.
- Conclude your message.
Can I refuse to do training at work?
Your employer can generally decide whether to offer training and, if they do offer it, who needs it. But if they do offer opportunities for training or development, they must do this without unlawful discrimination.
What can I do to train my supervisors?
If the supervisors and managers in your organization succumb to one or more of these pitfalls, there are a number of ways to develop them: training, skills coaching & mentoring, and educational materials. Looking for online supervisory training? You asked, and we listened. ERC now offers our leadership training online.
What should I ask for when requesting training from my boss?
If your planned training will take up any of your working hours, you’ll need to consider if your boss will sign off on this. It’s likely they will prefer an option that has the least amount of disruption to your day-to-day role, so you might need to make assurances that your training will not detract from your job.
What does a letter to announce employee training mean?
This letter is written by the employer or the relevant person in charge of employee affairs. It is addressed to an individual employee, a group of selected workers or all workers. A letter to announce employee training is a formal notification to the relevant employees of scheduled training.
How to request permission to attend training course?
This will inform the employer that he or she needs to respond within a certain time-frame. If the employee doesn’t get a response within the required time, he or she should phone or ask for a personal meeting to request permission to attend the session. Here is a sample request letter to attend training course.