Union Membership

[MissCommando]

My disabled husband is starting to experience difficulties with his employer as a result of his disability and recent absence due to ill health. To date, his company have discouraged union membership for all its employees and have even gone as far as disciplining 2 members of staff for discussing membership. We now know this to be unlawful and my husband is looking to join the General Union, such as GMB or Unite to afford him some level of support and representation at any forthcoming formal interviews.

Is anyone aware of having to wait a certain period of time (after you've joined a union) before being granted the benefit of union support?

His employer has already discriminated against him for which we have evidence and so he is obviously concerned that they may ignore all protection under the Equality Act during any meetings.

Thank you.

[237SJ]

I`ve got the feeling it`s 6 weeks.

[woofgang]

So far as I know, a company doesn't have to talk to union reps. Your husband of course can get advice from the union. He might do better to start with acas.

[friedgreentomato]

I thought it was immediate.

[Prudie]

I also thought it was immediate. I know people who have joined Unite specifically to get their support through work related problems.

[237SJ]

I think you can get support from Unite (as in they can accompany you to any meeting with a manager/employer). In that respect, it is definitely worth joining up. I do think there is a time limit in any free legal support you can get from a union though.

[237SJ]

By the way, as far as I know, you have the right to have someone with you when you have a disciplinary meeting with management. It can be anyone. A friend or union official. That`s the law.

[Prudie]

Oh I don't know about free support, I meant you start paying your subs and can then get immediate help I think.

[237SJ]

Immediate help yes, but not necessarily the free legal advice you get with some union subscriptions. I could find out. I might have to text one of my contacts.

[MissCommando]

Thanks for this...

As a side-question, hubby is currently working from home as an agreed 'work place adjustment'. The laptop he has been provided with is 12 years old, and on Thursday morning it just died. His team manager and HR officer said that he would have to either work back the two days that he could not work (because of the broken machine), or take the time as holiday or unpaid leave.

He has tried to argue that this is unfair as it was not his fault that the laptop died and they could not provide a replacement, which has been rejected by his work.

Is this permitted? If he was in the office, he wouldn't have had to work back the time...

Thanks

[MissCommando]

Thanks 237SJ - he would of course be happy to pay the required monthly subs.

Re having anyone with him, his work have said that as the meeting next week is an 'informal' discussion, there is no statutory right to be accompanied.

[237SJ]

"Informal discussion". They always use that term, don`t they. I had a letter from my company about an informal discussion about my attendance. (because I had been off sick twice in 6 months). I was told in the letter though, that I could have a representative with me. To be fair, my company are very compliant when it comes to the law. I chose not to have anyone with me because I knew I could fight my corner (God help them). I`m no expert but I think your husband`s company might be trying to swing the lead a little bit. I have put a question on my works forum about this. I`m away for 3 days now and can`t promise but if I hear anything I`ll let you know.

[MissCommando]

237SJ - thanks so much, it's greatly appreciated. My husband too is very sceptical as his company doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to treatment of staff.