Subsection(1) of new section 168B requires that an employer must permit an employee who is a member of an independent trade union recognised by the employer and an equality representative of the trade union to take time off during the employee’s working hours for the following purposes.
	Subsection (2) specifies those purposes are:
Carrying out activities for the purpose of promoting the value of equality in the workplace;
Arranging learning or training on matters relating to equality in the workplace;
Providing information, advice or support to qualifying members of the trade union in relation to matters relating to equality in the workplace;
Consulting with the employer on matters relating to equality in the workplace;
Obtaining and analysing information on the state of equality in the workplace;
Preparing for any of the things mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e).
	Subsection (3) states that subsection (1) applies only if the trade union has given the employer notice in writing that the employee is an equality representative of the union, and the training condition is met in relation to the employee.
	Subsection(4) states that the training condition is met if the employee has undergone sufficient training to enable the employee to carry out the activities mentioned in subsection (2), and the trade union has given the employer notice in writing of that fact; the trade union has in the last six months given the employer notice in writing that the employee will be undergoing such training; or within six months of the trade union giving the employer notice in writing that the employee will be undergoing such training, the employee has done so and the trade union has given the employer notice of that fact.
	Subsection(5) states that only one notice under subsection (4)(b) may be given in respect of any one employee.
	Subsection (6) clarifies that sufficient training is training that is sufficient for the purposes of subsection (2), having regard to a relevant Code of Practice issued by ACAS or the Secretary of State.
	Subsection (7) states that the employer must also permit the employee to take time off during working hours to undergo training relevant to their role as an equality representative.
	Subsection (8) states that the amount of time off, purposes, the occasions and conditions to which time off may be taken are those that are reasonable in all the circumstances having regard to a Code of Practice issued by ACAS or the Secretary of State.
	Subsection (9) states that an employer must, where requested by the employee, provide the employee with accommodation and other facilities in relation to the purposes of fulfilling their role as an equality representative, having regard to any relevant provisions in a Code of Practice issued by ACAS.
	Subsections (10) and (11) provide that an employee may present a complaint to an employment tribunal if the employer has failed to permit the employee to take time off or provide the employee with facilities as required. On complaint, it is for the employer to show that the amount of time off the employee proposed was not reasonable.
	Subsection (12) defines an equality representative and equality in the workplace.
Part 4: Trade Unions and Industrial Action, etc Facilities provided to trade union representatives and members New section 168B