Time spent by an employee in training that is required by the employer or by law is counted as compensable work time. Training that is taken at the option of the employee, i.e., training that is not required by the employer as a condition of employment or continued employment or that is not otherwise necessary for the performance of the employee's job would not be considered working time.
Employee rights under the ESA to not perform work are established through other ESA rules and employers should, consider overtime etc. when having after hours meetings.