Statutory guidance

Industrial action ballots and notice to employers: code of practice

Practical guidance to trade unions and employers to promote the improvement of industrial relations and good practice in the conduct of trade union industrial action ballots.

From:
Department for Business and Trade and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Published
1 September 2005
Last updated
518 MarchFebruary 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Code of practicePractice: onIndustrial industrial action ballots and notice to employers

PDF, 561522 KB, 2826 pages

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Details

This code of practice is in the process of being revised, but this version remains effective until such time as any revisions come into effect. See the new draft revised code.

The code has been updated to reflect the legal provisions on industrial action ballots and noticeinformation to employers made by the EmploymentTrade RightsUnion Act 2025.2016. It supersedes the codeCode of practicePractice on industrialIndustrial actionAction ballots and noticeInformation to employersEmployers issued in 2017.2005.

Updates to this page

Published 1 September 2005
Last updated 518 MarchFebruary 2026 + show all updates

  1. The code of practice has been updated to reflect the legal provisions on industrial action ballots and information to employers made by the Employment Rights Act 2025.

  2. Updated the date this code is likely to remain effective until.

  3. Added explanation that this code of practice is in the process of being revised, but this version remains effective until 11.59pm on 17 February 2026.

  4. Finalised version of updated code published

  5. Explanatory memorandum added

  6. First published.

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