We continue to believe that the current medicalised, quasi-judicial application process for a gender recognition certificate is humiliating and unnecessary. If none of this works within a reasonable time, you may consider raising the issues publicly. Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of everything UNISON does. It is important that you seek advice from your UNISON rep before making such a disclosure, as strict criteria apply in order for you to be protected. An in-depth look at key employment rights giving information and guidance to members’ representatives when they need to pursue issues at work. By continuing to use our website you are consenting to their use. Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of everything UNISON does. Our views have not changed. UNISON North Lanarkshire is stepping up the pressure on North Lanarkshire Council in the union’s long running campaign to end the unfair treatment of low paid women. This is great victory against unfair work practices, but many threats to workers' rights still remain. UNISON negotiators are working with university managers to speed up the process so staff can benefit before 2021. Introduction: Dear Sir/Madam, I am lodging a grievance letter to invoke the grievance procedure, due to ‘my belief’ that (organisations name) has breached its ‘statutory duties’ germane to ‘health and safety’ within the working environment. UNISON’s Black members group works with all parts of our union to improve equality in the workplace and challenge racism and discrimination. I don't really recommend to anyone to join unison. One of UNISON’s main aims is to help workers fight for fairness and equality in the workplace and beyond. The LGBT+ members group works with all parts of the union to improve equality, fight discrimination and prejudice in the workplace and provide support for our members. UNISON has been at the forefront in taking civil cases for damages for stress at work. External disclosure is only protected in certain limited circumstances – you should consult your UNISON rep before making such a disclosure. Why and how UNISON works internationally. If someone has to bring a claim for unfair treatment in the workplace such as discrimination or unfair dismissal, should they legally have to pay a fee to right an injustice? Find out more about grievance procedures. Some self-employed people are protected if the work is done in a place not under their control or management. ... unfair dismissal to tribunal drawing on both the prevention of less favourable treatment Find out more about employment tribunals. You are protected even if you are blowing the whistle on unlawful acts that took place overseas, or where the law applying to those acts is not UK law. He appealed against that decision but the appeal was never heard. In this case, it is crucial you take advice from your UNISON rep. You will generally be protected if you make your claim to your employer or to another person if you reasonably believe that the relevant failure relates solely or mainly to that person, or is a matter for which that person other than your employer has responsibility. I knew that unions were in place to protect staff from unfair treatment and wanted to get some 'back up' in case I did have to go to a meeting with management. As part of a phased return to work after one of the periods of sick leave, the school suggested that he work as an assistant in literacy and numeracy rather than returning to the PE department. Employees appointed by a minister of the crown may make disclosures to such a minister. I would like to receive 10% off my first purchase, easy access to free products, special offers, and more by signing up to the Unison newsletter. UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. UNISON young members group is for members who are under 27. If you’ve tried to raise an issue internally but your employer ignores you and you feel that you must report your concerns, it is important that you speak to your UNISON rep immediately. Alan Bradley, Dumfries and Galloway welcomed UNISON's commitment to challenge unfair treatment in the workplace. UNISON women work with all parts of the union to end discrimination and campaign for equality. Your rep will help you to escalate your concerns, or even help you seek legal advice. Poster to celebrate Bi visibility day 23 September, UNISON’s calendar of key equality events 2020-2021, 40 page Bargaining guide and model policy around Disability leave. One of UNISON’s main aims is to help workers fight for fairness and equality in the workplace and beyond. Self organisation groups This section is about young members equality. Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2019. Find out more about industrial tribunals. UNISON North Lanarkshire is stepping up the pressure on North Lanarkshire Council in the union’s long running campaign to end the unfair treatment of low paid women. This section is about equality for disabled members. UNISON has long called for the GRA to be amended in line with international best practice. You should do so as soon as possible, as strict time limits apply for making such a claim, generally three months less one day from the date of dismissal (generally speaking, three months exactly in Northern Ireland). This section is about retired members. These handy small leaflets define what being Black means to UNISON. We continue to fight against discrimination wherever we encounter it and regularly help members challenge unequal or unfair treatment, including all forms of prejudice and discrimination, racism, bullying and harassment and equal pay. It is vital to follow certain steps if you are going to make a claim about an issue concerning you at work, because making such a disclosure is a serious matter. Members suffering the effects of stress at work are in a vulnerable situation and need to be supported with care and tact. Mr Uddin, a PE teacher, suffered from anxiety and depression and was absent on sick leave for several months at a time. From our experience it is clear that disabled people are significantly more likely to experience unfair treatment at work than non-disabled people e.g. We use cookies on our website to ensure you find the information you need in the simplest way. Many Black NHS staff live with the consequences of racism every day. November 1997: Donald D'Souza was awarded 375,000 for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination against former employers London Borough of Lambeth. An A4 guide for branches on how to deal with harassment and bullying at work. There may be protection for disclosing the issue to another person in exceptional circumstances – such as where the employee reasonably believes that making the disclosure to their employer means that they will be subject to a detriment or that evidence will be concealed or destroyed; the employee has already made the disclosure to their employer; or where the relevant failure is of an exceptionally serious nature. Qatar’s Kafala system that removes workers’ human rights is cited by UNISON as a reason for the Lord Provost to decline an invitation to visit the country. Terms and conditions. The group also provides a powerful voice for young members and the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge. The equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland  is the Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. This may involve bringing a claim in the employment tribunal. has already been purchased, you can access this purchase via the ‘Downloads’ button below. Quantity is limited to one copy per branch. Updated April 2012. If these conditions are met, the disclosure may be a “qualifying disclosures” in terms of the relevant legislation. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. There is more lenient treatment … This may involve bringing a claim in the employment tribunal. If you are being victimised or suffering from unfair treatment because of blowing the whistle you need to speak to your UNISON rep, who can help you decide what action to take. This Guide aims to help representatives recognise and understand members’ rights and persuade employers to take appropriate action. By continuing to use our website you are consenting to their use. In such cases the disclosure must not be made for the purposes of personal gain. The legislation which is intended to protect people from unfair treatment includes the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights legislation. A whistleblower is legally protected if a disclosure made is about: To be protected, you must have a reasonable belief that the information tends to show that one of more of the above has happened, is happening or is likely to happen. The ability to live and work without prejudice is a fundamental right, regardless of your background, identity and experiences. Our disabled members’ group works with all parts of the union to fight discrimination and prejudice and campaign for improved workplace accessibility. The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The union is fighting to protect the pay of thousands of its teaching assistant members around the UK. The legislation made substantial amendments to the Employment Rights Act 1996 – and the Employment Rights (NI) Order 1996 in Northern Ireland – to protect whistleblowers from dismissal and detrimental treatment by their employer. This section is about equality for Black members. Get help by: UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. “Worker” in this case is widely defined and includes not only employees, but also certain agency workers or people who are not employed, but who are in training with the employer. Find out more about industrial tribunals. UNISON has a history of winning on equality. Fact sheet. They left myself with any legal help when i needed. The Westminster government consultation on reforming the 2004 Gender Recognition Act (GRA) took place nearly two years ago, and the results of the consultation have not yet been released. What hard evidence do you have to support any claim? ... Unison would argue that such a clause is void as it seeks to contract out of employment law. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. protection from unfair dismissal. By “blowing the whistle”, you may highlight illegal activity in the workplace, and you may protect others in future. This fact sheet outlines the national LGBT+ committee’s international work. Terms and conditions. Unfair Dismissal - A Short Summary: This is a very short summary of the structure of dismissal law. Next steps for UNISON reps Negotiate with your employer to create a written grievance procedure if they do not already have one. If an employment tribunal considers that your disclosure was made in bad faith, it has the power to reduce any compensation award by up to 25%. Moray UNISON is appalled by the decision of Moray Council to impose car parking charges at two of its staff car parks in Elgin. Workers are protected if they blow the whistle from detriment and unfair dismissal. He told conference of the experiences of his branch in campaigning against such inequalities on behalf of their low paid women members. UNISON took the first ever successful personal injury stress case Walker v … Speak to your UNISON rep to find out what to do next. Employees are protected against discrimination and unfair treatment by the Equality Act and relevant regulations in Northern Ireland. Are you sure that your concerns could not be raised informally or through the usual grievance procedure? Posted on 22 October 2018 by . UNISON is demanding the Council settle their many outstanding equal pay claims. You have colleagues working together on a 10-hour shift, doing the same job, but … It is illegal for any foreign worker within Qatar to join a trade union or organise against unfair treatment. UoB UCU & UNISON Fact Sheet: Fixed Term Contracts (FTCs) ... right to a permanent contract after four years and protection from unfair dismissal and unfair treatment that staff on FTCs are often faced with. I chose UNISON because they were the biggest union at my workplace and I saw a lot of … Booklet for branch activists and members explaining UNISON’s policy on self organisation, including guidelines on branch and regional support and resources. The Equality Act contains something called the public sector equality duty, which requires public bodies to actively promote equality and eliminate discrimination. Join UNISON and get essential cover wherever you work. Strict time limits apply and so you should speak to your UNISON rep as soon as possible. 100% Vote for Strike Action Over Unfair Treatment of Ambulance Staff Phenomenal ballot result shows the strength of feeling amongst staff. James Moore Unison could soon have a female general secretary – about time, too. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice. Besides the right not to be discriminated against or bullied, fair treatment also includes dignity at work, access to opportunities and equal working conditions and pay. On 16 March 2011 Mrs Oni issued a claim against Unison alleging race victimisation and detrimental treatment by Mrs McGregor. Decision. Can't find the answer you're looking for here? UK Politics. By judgment of EJ Rogerson sent to the parties on 24 November 2011, the complaint of Mrs McGregor giving evidence in the hearing of the second 2009 claim was struck out on the grounds of witness immunity. in 2012, 19 per cent of disabled people experienced unfair treatment at work compared to 13 per cent of non-disabled people. Strict time limits apply and so you should speak to your UNISON rep as soon as possible. With Brexit on the horizon, threatening to undo vital protections, and an austerity government taking every opportunity to undermine public service, there's still plenty left for us to do. Dave Prentis is the general secretary of UNISON One of UNISON’s main aims is to help workers fight for fairness and equality in the workplace and beyond. If an employee reveals to you that they have discovered unlawful activities at work, discuss the next steps with your UNISON regional office or regional organiser. a failure to comply with a legal obligation; If you suspect unlawful activity at work, you may want to inform someone about it. A leaflet aimed at encouraging members from the union’s self-organised groups to consider putting themselves forward to become safety reps. A guide to using the Public Sector Equality Duty to fight cuts, attacks on pay and conditions and discrimination by public service employers. Normally you would first report the issue internally to your employers before making any disclosure externally. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 provides legal protection for individuals who disclose information to expose acts such as criminal acts. Besides the right not to be discriminated against or bullied, fair treatment also includes dignity at work, access to opportunities and equal working conditions and pay. This section is about LGBT+ equality. UNISON made its views very clear in our response to the consultation on the reform of the GRA. How to contact your UNISON rep. In a recent article in the Guardian newspaper about the unfair treatment of teaching assistants in Durham, it was alleged that UNISON had been slow to act in supporting them. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. Factsheet. A practical guide to supporting trans people in the workplace. He had also taken out a grievance against his two managers which was rejected. An up-to-date list of UNISON’s Equality resources for bargaining, campaigning and organising. Discrimination occurs when someone makes an assumption about you because of your age (or another “protected characteristic”) and treats you differently because of it. UNISON has won a landmark court victory today (Friday) that makes it much harder for employers to ignore staff when making major changes in the workplace. UNISON’s disabled members are working hard to combat unfair treatment at work. This section is about women’s equality. This could mean highlighting possible unlawful activities in the organisation, failures to comply with legal obligations, miscarriages of justice or reporting on risks to the health and safety of individuals or to the environment. As racism is arbitrary unfair treatment, the very thing UNISON and other unions were founded to challenge for all workers , it is unthinkable that we would do other than oppose it in all its forms and at all levels. Yes, you can make a claim for unfair dismissal, even if you have been in the job for less than two years. UNISON welcomes the report from the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) Still Falling Short, which highlights the unfair and degrading treatment of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex plus (LGBTQI+) asylum seekers. UNISON is trying to highlight the unfair parking charges some NHS staff incur when then they go to work. We use cookies on our website to ensure you find the information you need in the simplest way. April 1998: In Kramer v. UNISON, Ms Kramer was employed as a Unison Regional Officer, South East Region from 1990-1997, when she resigned from her post. At the Labour Party's recent national policy forum, for example, UNISON succeeded in reaching agreement on key issues in the workplace and, in … As a result of the legislation, some employers have developed internal whistleblowing procedures, although the legislation does not enforce this. Min order 20, max order 50. If you are being victimised or suffering from unfair treatment because of blowing the whistle you need to speak to your UNISON rep, who can help you decide what action to take. 100% Vote for Strike Action Over Unfair Treatment of Ambulance Staff. Such activities could be a violation of a law, rule or regulation, or a threat to public interest, such as fraud, health and safety violations or corruption. UNISON Branch to take to streets to pressure council into fairness. © Copyright 2021 Privacy policy Thompsons is the most experienced personal injury firm in the UK, dedicated to acting for injured people, campaigning for the rights of workers from offices nationwide and this website. You must also have a reasonable belief that the information that you are disclosing is true. A5 four page booklet outlining the issues for those staff affected. For disclosures to be protected by law, workers must make them to the right person, in the right way and not for personal gain. Factsheet – advice on how to negotiate agreements and procedures on whistleblowing for branch officers and stewards. They brought just excuses after months i waited for response despite I m still a member and i m paying for that service. If you are going to blow the whistle, it is vital that you consider the following points carefully. Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of everything UNISON does. UNISON’s disabled members are working hard to combat unfair treatment … In some cases, the employee may bring a case before an employment tribunal, which can award compensation. The Equality Act  makes it unlawful for employers to treat you unfairly because of: It is also unlawful for employers to have a rule, policy or practice that someone is less likely to be able to fulfil than other employees because of one of the reasons above. Posted in disability discrimination disabled members Leave a comment. Take advice from your UNISON rep and if you cannot find any, alert your branch secretary or UNISON regional organiser. Disclosures about certain types of matters may also be made to specific bodies, such as the relevant regulatory body. For your disclosure to be protected by the law you should make it to the right person, in the right way. Really unfair treatment The feedback for the treatment unison union gave to me is really really bad. UKLGIG supports LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration process. Workers should only blow the whistle when they have sufficient hard evidence and they cannot use the usual grievance procedure. UK Politics. UNISON welcomes the report from the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) Still Falling Short, which highlights the unfair and degrading treatment of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex plus (LGBTQI+) asylum seekers. Ambulance Staff to Vote on Strike Action Over Unfair Treatment . Mr Uddin was not happy with the suggestion an… By autumn 2021 the pay, overtime, pension options and sickness allowances of the 900 outsourced staff will be brought in line with directly employed UCL workers, ending years of unfair treatment, the union said. Workers are protected as whistleblowers if they fulfil certain criteria. Our young members group works with other parts of the union to encourage recruitment, organisation and participation of young workers. We encourage all members to join the discussion on how to provide public services and how equality can be promoted when delivering them. Branch Secretary, Suzanne Wright, commented that “UNISON will be challenging this decision as it amounts to inequitable treatment of staff. The issues publicly of young workers provides a powerful voice for young and! Detriment and unfair dismissal and racial discrimination against former employers London Borough of.. 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