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FAQ

 

1 What do I do if I have a serious wellbeing concern?

If you have a serious wellbeing concern and feel that you need medical attention, please contact your GP practice as soon as possible.

You can also can contact UCU’s partner Education Support Partnership which provides independent, confidential 24/7 support, to help people deal with stress and anxiety, bullying, career and money worries, and a range of other issues.

Contact Number: 08000 562 561 (helpline) / 07909 341229 (text)

Email: support@edsupport.org.uk

Website: www.educationsupport.org.uk

Information about crisis services can also be found at:-

Helplines and listening services – Mind

2 What do I do if I am called to a meeting with line management and HR are unexpectedly present?
  • Ask for written clarification as to the status of the meeting, for example, is this a formal meeting?
  • Ask whether this meeting is part of a University procedure, and if so, which procedure?
  • If the meeting concerns disciplinary action and could result in a warning been given then you have a statutory right to have a UCU rep present. If no rep is available then you should seek a postponement. Please note that if the meeting is an investigation you do not have the statutory right to be accompanied, although responsible employers should allow you to have a rep present. Contact your UCU rep once you have been invited to an investigation meeting.
  • Ask if the meeting is being minuted and if so, when you will receive the minutes (i.e. you may want to check these minutes and make amendments)
  • Even if the meeting is minuted, make notes if possible. Do not be afraid to ask the other participants to speak more slowly or repeat what they have said (especially if the matter is serious).
  • If you find taking notes difficult, and the meeting is taking place online/remotely, you could also ask for permission to record the meeting. However this can only be done with the agreement of every participant.
  • If you feel upset or anxious, ask for an adjournment. This can be done regardless of whether the meeting is in person or being done remotely.
  • Do not agree to anything under pressure that you feel is incorrect/detrimental, but state that you need time to reflect and will get back to the University via email in 24/48 hours with your response.
  • If you are questioned , just answer what is being asked and do not expand, particularly in cases where you are not accompanied by a UCU rep.
  • Immediately after the meeting make a note of the main points. In some cases you may want to send this to the other participants as a record (particularly where no notes or minutes were taken). If your account is disputed it is up to the other participants to challenge it.
  • Contact UCU for advice if necessary

3 What do I do if called to a meeting and redundancy is raised?
  • Depending on the context, be very careful of what you might say and refrain from engaging in a discussion which may give the impression you are happy to have hours cut, being made redundant, being relocated etc. unless you are happy to do so.
  • Ask if the meeting is being minuted and if so, when you will receive the minutes (i.e. you may want to check these minutes and make amendments)
  • Make notes if possible
  • If you find taking notes difficult, and the meeting is taking place online/remotely, you could also ask for permission to record the meeting.
  • Ask that any information/documentation that is presented to you is forwarded after the meeting via email
  • Ask for a full consultation meeting so that you have time to prepare in a second meeting: https://www.acas.org.uk/your-rights-during-redundancy/how-your-employer-must-consult-you
  • If you feel upset or anxious, ask for an adjournment
  • Do not agree to anything under pressure that you feel is incorrect/detrimental, but state that you need time to reflect and will get back to the University via email in 24/48 hours with your response
  • After the meeting, check that the meeting corresponded with the University procedure
  • Contact UCU for advice

4 What do I do if I am called to a meeting and changes to my contract are suggested?
  • Ask if the meeting is being minuted and if so, when you will receive the minutes (i.e. you may want to check these minutes and make amendments)
  • Be very careful that what you say might may give the impression that you are happy to have detrimental changes made to your contract or way of working.
  • Make notes if possible
  • If you find taking notes difficult, and the meeting is taking place online/remotely, you could also ask for permission to record the meeting.
  • Ask that any information/documentation that is presented to you is sent after the meeting via email
  • If you feel upset or anxious, ask for an adjournment
  • Do not agree to anything under pressure that you feel is incorrect/detrimental, but state that you need time to reflect and will get back to the University via email in 24/48 hours with your response. It is perfectly reasonable to say that you need time to think and consult with your UCU rep before you can respond fully.
  • After the meeting, check your contract
  • Contact UCU for advice

5 What rights do I have as a fixed term employee?

If someone has been on a fixed term contract for more than 4 years, then under employment law you are potentially eligible for a permanent contract. See https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/3567/Fixed-term-regulations-requesting-confirmation-of-permanence for more details. Requests for permanence should be made as soon as possible after you have been working for the employer for 4 years and the original contract has either been replaced or amended in that time. If someone has been employed by the University for 24 months or more, then they are entitled to redundancy. This involves not only a potential payment, but also rights to ensure that selection for redundancy has been carried out under fair and proper selection processes. You can’t be selected for redundancy purely on the fixed-term nature of your contract. The University needs to discuss ways to redeploy you if possible, which will include training you for a new post if necessary. For more UCU guidance on this please go to https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/3547/The-ending-of-a-fixed-term-contract—some-information#redundancy, and to see a calculation of the basic minimum redundancy pay that you would be entitled to, please go to https://www.gov.uk/calculate-your-redundancy-pay. Transferring to a permanent contract is advisable in a sector that relies more and more on precarious contracts, as there is an increased level of protection. This will benefit an employee outside of work (example, it may be easier for you to apply for a mortgage) as well as within work (example, for fixed term staff, the employer does not have to give you notice at the end of your contract, and can potentially attempt to renew the contract on less favourable grounds).

6 What do I do if I feel I am being bullied/harassed?
  • If possible, ask the person bullying or harassing you to stop. Keep a note of your discussion e.g. a follow up email to show you raised the problem and what, if anything, was agreed.
  • It is important to understand what is happening and recognise the many manifestations of bullying / harassment behaviour: https://www.acas.org.uk/if-youre-treated-unfairly-at-work/being-bullied
  • Start making a diary of unwanted events/incidents/conversations/interactions.
  • Make a note of those who witnessed any unwanted behaviour. If possible, approach them afterwards to check. If the problem remains unresolved you may need witness statements.
  • Gain help with any emotional and/or physical consequences (by talking to your GP / Occupational Health / Independent counselling services if necessary e.g. https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/)
  • Consider the relevant University policies.
  • Read the following guide: What to do if you are being bullied or harassed – advice for UCU members
  • Ask the union for advice if you have been unable to resolve the problem informally.

7 What do I do if I feel that I am being treated unfairly compared with others?

8 Who can join Reading UCU?

Anyone who works as an academic, lecturer, trainer, instructor, researcher, administrator, manager, computer staff, librarian or postgraduate in a UK university, college, prison, adult education or training organisation can join UCU. UCU is formally recognised to collectively bargain for staff grade 6 and above, and is currently the only trade union formally recognised by University of Reading. UCU nationally works alongside other unions on joint pay claims with the four other HE unions (EIS, GMB, Unison and Unite).For more information, please visit: https://www.ucu.org.uk/whyjoinAlthough UCU can not collectively bargain for staff grades 1-5, Reading UCU can assist with individual problems at work (such as work place bullying), and members can take full part in our democratic processes (for example, attend Branch meetings and vote on Branch proposals/position).