Union recognition

FORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 22 June 2026, the Department for Business and Trade published the government response to its consultation on a draft code of practice on electronic workplace balloting for statutory union ballots (the draft code). The draft code is intended to provide practical guidance to independent scrutineers and trade unions on the use of electronic and workplace balloting methods for statutory trade union ballots as well as to promote the improvement of industrial relations and good practice in the conduct of trade union ballots and elections by electronic, or workplace voting means. The draft code is subject to parliamentary approval. This Overview will be updated to reflect new code once it is brought into force. See: LNB News 23/06/2026 11.

An employer may ‘recognise’ a trade union for a number of different purposes, and at one of a number of different ‘levels’ in terms of the range of employees and premises covered. The level of recognition may also refer to the scope of the facilities that are made available under a recognition agreement between an employer and a union.

In terms of purpose, an employer may