Restructuring in your Department or Service, bullying, performance matters, disciplinary are the kind of issues you may face. Your local UCU representatives are here to help, support and advise. UCU members qualify to receive expert advice from professional staff with a wealth of experience and, should the need arise, specialist legal advice and representation.

The information below provides a guide to how such support is provided and your next steps. You can also contact Alison Garrod or your Departmental Representative .

 

Eligibility for Assistance

  1. Non members cannot normally be provided with help and guidance.
  2. UCU cannot provide assistance to members who have sought advice from a solicitor, as there cannot be dual representation
  3. Members can only be provided with help and guidance in respect of problems that occur / arise during their period of membership.
  4. Where there are members involved on both sides of a conflict who have requested UCU assistance, there is a special Fair Representation Protocol under which both cases will be handled.
  5. UCU reserves the right to withdraw support to a member if they do not follow the guidance that is given.

What Do I Do next?

  1. If possible members should contact the UCU campus office (ext 1519), to make an initial appointment to see or speak to Alison Garrod, who is available on Mondays and Thursdays.
  2. Whilst it is most definitely not a pre-requirement, it is always helpful if members can bring relevant items of documentation relating to their problem to the initial appointment. Information about the kind of items that may be useful are set out below under Documentation in Assistance Cases
  3. Alison will take down details of the problem and will co-ordinate the provision of appropriate support in line with the Assistance Protocol
  4. If the case is serious and urgent she may decide to refer it to the UCU Regional Office, as soon as the case details have been established. This may first involve consulting on a confidential basis with members of the local Executive
  5. Only in very exceptional circumstances (i.e. serious and urgent situations) and if the office is closed should members refer their problems direct to Regional Office – Tel: 01656 721961 or by email.

 

What would help me in making my case? – documentation

Members seeking assistance with a workplace problem should try to bring to the initial fact-gathering meeting copies of suitably annotated written material that may be relevant to their case.

This might include:

  1. A very brief diary of events leading to the problem, if possible cross-referenced to other supporting material
  2. A copy of their current and previous contract(s) of employment
  3. Copies of letters and emails, both sent and received, that are relevant to the problem
  4. Copies of relevant reports, minutes of meetings etc.
  5. If members do come prepared with the above, it can significantly speed up the initial stages of support provision. If for whatever reason they are unable to come so prepared, or are unsure about what is relevant in their particular circumstances, the Organising Officer will work with the member and help them to identify and gather together relevant material.