UNISON has been at the forefront in taking civil cases for damages for stress at work. Terms and conditions. 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. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. Can't find the answer you're looking for here? This section is about young members equality. Our views have not changed. We encourage all members to join the discussion on how to provide public services and how equality can be promoted when delivering them. ... Trade unions warn Labour leadership over treatment of whistleblowers. 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. UKLGIG supports LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration process. It explains what the duty is and how you can use it, drawing on successful campaigns to date. 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. 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. 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. 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. On 16 March 2011 Mrs Oni issued a claim against Unison alleging race victimisation and detrimental treatment by Mrs McGregor. ... Unison would argue that such a clause is void as it seeks to contract out of employment law. Employees are protected against discrimination and unfair treatment by the Equality Act and relevant regulations in Northern Ireland. Find out more about industrial tribunals. Our retired members group works closely with other parts of the union on almost every issue that affects workers in the UK, as well as fighting for quality public services, on which many older people rely. 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. 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. in 2012, 19 per cent of disabled people experienced unfair treatment at work compared to 13 per cent of non-disabled people. For your disclosure to be protected by the law you should make it to the right person, in the right way. 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. Terms and conditions. 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. The equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland  is the Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. 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. Workers are protected as whistleblowers if they fulfil certain criteria. Employees appointed by a minister of the crown may make disclosures to such a minister. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. 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. We use cookies on our website to ensure you find the information you need in the simplest way. 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. UK Politics. The union is fighting to protect the pay of thousands of its teaching assistant members around the UK. Posted on 22 October 2018 by . If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice. I don't really recommend to anyone to join unison. UNISON took the first ever successful personal injury stress case Walker v … 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. © Copyright 2021 Privacy policy We continue to believe that the current medicalised, quasi-judicial application process for a gender recognition certificate is humiliating and unnecessary. Some self-employed people are protected if the work is done in a place not under their control or management. 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. Find out more about employment tribunals. UNISON is demanding the Council settle their many outstanding equal pay claims. Workers are protected if they blow the whistle from detriment and unfair dismissal. UNISON members in the non-emergency patient transport service in Greater Manchester have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action. Min order 20, max order 50. If a member has been discriminated against or treated unfairly at work, UNISON negotiates with employers on a member’s behalf, attends tribunals, offers legal help and makes employers aware of the law. 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. Posted in disability discrimination disabled members Leave a comment. Speak to your UNISON rep to find out what to do next. Are you sure that your concerns could not be raised informally or through the usual grievance procedure? UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of everything UNISON does. 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. 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. 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. For disclosures to be protected by law, workers must make them to the right person, in the right way and not for personal gain. This is great victory against unfair work practices, but many threats to workers' rights still remain. 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. Why and how UNISON works internationally. However, if it is not void, the contract ends without termination. Fact sheet. He told conference of the experiences of his branch in campaigning against such inequalities on behalf of their low paid women members. While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If your employer does not already have a whistleblowing policy in place, negotiate to create a policy which encourage workers to feel confident in raising concerns and establish a fair investigative process. has already been purchased, you can access this purchase via the ‘Downloads’ button below. © Copyright 2021 Privacy policy UNISON’s Black members group works with all parts of our union to improve equality in the workplace and challenge racism and discrimination. This section is about LGBT+ equality. How to contact your UNISON rep. They left myself with any legal help when i needed. ... David Atkinson, UNISON North West Regional Organiser: “The present situation is ridiculous and untenable. UNISON women work with all parts of the union to end discrimination and campaign for equality. In such cases the disclosure must not be made for the purposes of personal gain. protection from unfair dismissal. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. Moray UNISON is appalled by the decision of Moray Council to impose car parking charges at two of its staff car parks in Elgin. Get help by: UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. This section is about equality for disabled members. Take advice from your UNISON rep and if you cannot find any, alert your branch secretary or UNISON regional organiser. 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. Dave Prentis is the general secretary of UNISON 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. UNISON is trying to highlight the unfair parking charges some NHS staff incur when then they go to work. Booklet for branch activists and members explaining UNISON’s policy on self organisation, including guidelines on branch and regional support and resources. He appealed against that decision but the appeal was never heard. As a result of the legislation, some employers have developed internal whistleblowing procedures, although the legislation does not enforce this. Disclosures about certain types of matters may also be made to specific bodies, such as the relevant regulatory body. We work for improvements to women’s rights in the workplace and in the wider community. 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. Quantity is limited to one copy per branch. The group also provides a powerful voice for young members and the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge. Factsheet. If none of this works within a reasonable time, you may consider raising the issues publicly. One of UNISON’s main aims is to help workers fight for fairness and equality in the workplace and beyond. 100% Vote for Strike Action Over Unfair Treatment of Ambulance Staff Phenomenal ballot result shows the strength of feeling amongst staff. Find out more about grievance procedures. 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