Employment Rights

UNISON provides advice and online briefings on legal and industrial relations issues for branches and regional staff.

Online employment advice for all

Both members and non-members will find useful advice on work and related issues at: www.troubleatwork.org.uk

Legal advice for members and families

For full details of all legal services for members and their families go to our Legal advice page.

Online solicitors' library

Thompsons solicitors' online library offers advice on all sorts of issues from problems with neighbours or goods to trade union rights, discrimination against lesbians and gays at work and clinical negligence: www.thompsons.law.co.uk

Injury Alert - Top Tips for UNISON reps

1. Always ensure staff record all accidents, near misses, injuries or violence at work in the workplace accident book.

2. Educate members to record the basic information required by law in the accident book:

   • Date
   • How the accident occurred
   • Name of injured person
   • Injuries suffered
   Encourage them to avoid speculation and give too much information.

3. An accident which can seem an inconvenience today may effect someone's ability to work in the long term. Encourage members to take all incidents seriously and record details at the time.

4. If a member or their family has had an injury in the last three years they may still qualify for compensation.

5. There are various strict time limits for legal claims including for taking cases to industrial tribunals, criminal injury and personal injury claims.

6. UNISON may withdraw legal help if members choose not to follow the advice of our solicitors or they fail to reply to letters or phone calls from them.

7. Don't forget you're not expected to be a lawyer or know everything. That's what UNISON's legal team and the firms of solicitors we employ are for. Just send us the basic information and we'll take it from there.

CONTACT DETAILS • For urgent help and advice at work to go Help at Work. • UNISON has two separate but closely linked legal teams. Contact our Employment Rights unit or our Membership Legal Services unit at: UNISON Services to Members 1 Mabledon Place London WC1H 9AJ Email: direct@unison.co.uk

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