Part 1: Main Provisions Section 8 and Schedule 7: Emergency volunteering leave
The section and Schedule establish a new form of unpaid statutory leave for employees and workers ("workers") that qualify as emergency volunteers for the purpose of Emergency Volunteering Leave ("EVL").
	Part 1 of the Schedule sets out the entitlement to take EVL. To qualify for EVL a worker must be issued with an Emergency Volunteering Certificate ("EVL Certificate") by an appropriate authority confirming that they have been approved as an emergency volunteer, and that they will volunteer for a specified period. A worker must then provide written notice, including the EVL Certificate to their employer at least 3 working days before the first day of the period specified in the EVL Certificate. A worker is entitled to take a set block of 2, 3 or 4 consecutive weeks of EVL during a period of 16 weeks (a "volunteering period"). There is no requirement for a worker to have any qualifying period of service with their employer to take EVL. Subsequent volunteering periods can be specified by relevant national authorities in regulations. The categories of workers who are exempted from the entitlement to take EVL are set out in paragraph 3 of the Schedule and relevant national authorities are able to make regulations to extend the list of exempt workers.
	Part 2 of the Schedule sets out the effect of an individual taking EVL. Paragraph 5 mandates the continued application of terms and conditions of employment during any period of EVL. Paragraph 6 sets out an individual’s right to return after a period of EVL. Paragraph 7 describes the effects of EVL on an individual’s pension rights.
	Part 3 of the Schedule modifies the Employment Rights Act 1996 so as to make new provisions that ensure that workers who take or seek to take EVL are protected from detriment and that employees receive additional unfair dismissal protections. Part 3 also modifies the Employment Rights Act to allow for workers who take or seek to take EVL to pursue complaints and obtain remedies in the Employment Tribunal.
	Part 4 of the Schedule modifies the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 to insert equivalent protections to those described in respect of Part 3.
	Part 5 of the Schedule is a general provision, which sets out the application of this Schedule to agency workers, and contains definitions and more information on powers to make regulations under the Schedule.
	The territorial extent and application of provisions relating to EVL is England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but Part 3 of the Schedule extends and applies to England and Wales and Scotland only, and Part 4 extends and applies to Northern Ireland only.