UCU negotiates members’ pay and conditions both nationally and locally, and campaigns on a whole range of issues including education funding, privatisation and pensions. And we offer members advice on equality, health & safety, pensions, planning for retirement, part-time working and professional issues.
But it’s often the case that members find themselves calling on UCU when they run into a problem that affects them as individuals. Problems like these can arise in any number of ways. And one of the main benefits of belonging to UCU is that, if a difficult situation arises, we can help by giving advice, support and representation.
If you have a problem and need your union’s help, please read the FAQ below first as this may answer some of your questions without the need to seek support from the branch in the short term or for more straight forward enquiries.
1-Where do I find information on the terms & conditions of my employment such as working hours and holiday entitlement etc?
Every staff member should look at your Contract of Employment. You would have been issued with one when you started at SEC. Keep it where you can find it! Get to know it! If you can’t find it, email HR and ask for a copy.
Whilst most entitlements are the same whatever your job is, your Contract of Employment will also contain any specific, individual terms of employment so it is important to have a copy.
2-How can I check that I am not being asked to carry out work that is not part of my job?
Any information regarding what is expected of you in your day-to-day role at SEC should be detailed in your Job Description which you should have been issued when/before you started. This is different from your Contract of Employment and both documents taken together are the two main reference documents about your employment. Everybody should have one – keep it safe along with your Contract of Employment. If you can’t find yours, email HR to ask for it.
3-I’m not happy with the behaviour of a colleague towards myself and others, what should I do?
Any complaint made between colleagues is dealt with using what is called the Grievance Procedure. You should always try to resolve issues informally, but this doesn’t always work. Depending on the nature of the issue there is also the Bullying & Harassment Procedure to refer to as well as the Grievance Procedure.
Other policies may also be relevant, such as the Capability Procedure or Wellbeing/Dignity at Work policies.
There are policies and procedures across a multitude of topics that members can refer to for information and check if they are being followed. Such policies and procedures will cover such areas as Annual leave (including special leave entitlement), sickness -absence, disciplinary etc.
Do you know how to find these?
At SEC you will find them in here – Central Policy Resource – Policies – HR Policies – All Documents on the SEC Intranet or by requesting a copy directly from HR.
Often but not always just pointing out to line managers/HR the correct policy and procedure they should be following can solve issues in the workplace.
4-What if I haven’t been able to resolve my issue at work and need further help and advice?
At this stage we advise that you get in touch with the branch. It’s very useful especially in complicated situations to complete a casework referral form which you can download via the link below , complete and then email to us at ucu@southessex.ac.uk so that it can then be allocated to one of the casework team who will get in touch asap.
And as well as offering support to members on work related issues, we also offer non-work related services including wills, lasting power of attorney, renunciation of executorship, probate, severance of joint tenancy, buying a newly built home, conveyancing, re-mortgaging and financial mis-selling claims such as payment protection insurance (PPI)