0845 22 55 787 / 0300 323 0169
Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Do you need advice from a legal expert or someone to help you though a business dispute? Search for professional services across the UK.
Sometimes, issues in the workplace escalate to a point where outside intervention is needed if an employee and an employer in dispute cannot resolve a problem amicably. Whilst managers and employers in general do not like to admit defeat, sometimes they need to accept that external skills, a fresh approach, is the answer.
If an employer really wants to contain matters and avoid a costly and lengthy employment tribunal process, they will accept advice from external, independent, experts. The ACAS ‘Conciliation Explained’ May 2018, states;
Simply, a nominated representative is someone the employee chooses for themselves. Anyone can be the employee’s ‘nominated representative’. This includes anyone with conflict resolution, mediation and settlement negotiation skills, including a Claims Management organisation that specialise in conflict resolution. Importantly, the nominated representative does not have to be Trade Union Representative. A lot of employers are not aware of this.
In respect of the in-house grievance or disciplinary dispute process, most workplace policies say;
‘During the formal stage of a Grievance or Disciplinary procedure the employee will have the right to be accompanied by a workplace colleague or trade union official’
Let us be clear, the ACAS Conciliation Explained document does not say your employer must allow someone other than a colleague or trade union official accompany you at meetings. However, an employee can reasonably ask their employer to recognise their chosen nominated representative, and allow that person in to meetings. An employee is advised to put this request in writing.
This is a reasonable request. Ultimately, the decision will rest with the employer though.
A reasonable employer will allow an employee to decide who their nominated representative is and they would respect that choice.
A reasonable employer will show flexibility.
A reasonable employer should not refuse to engage with an employee’s nominated representative in subsequent conciliation talks, especially if in-house procedures have been exhausted and the employee in question wanted to explore alternative dispute resolution processes, such as a without prejudice settlement agreement approach.
A reasonable employer would not refuse to engage with an employee’s nominated representative where it is clear from the outset that the working relationship has broken down and the two (employee and employer) wish to part company amicably on a no blame basis.
This is good news for any employee who is not a member of a Union.
It is also good news for the employee who feels that their Union Representative is in a conflict of interest (ie: working for the same employer), and/or is struggling to achieve a positive outcome for both the employee and the employer.
If you are unable to resolve your dispute with your employer through the in-house grievance or disciplinary processes (Stages 1 & 2) or if at any time during that process you want to engage in conciliation, typically a Without Prejudice process (ie: off the record talks) you can instruct someone who specialises in Conflict Resolution and conciliation services to handle that for you.
That person does not have to be a Union Representative.
Further, if an employee loses confidence in a Union, they can ‘at any time’ seek a second opinion from a nominated person who specialises in this specialist area of work and that may be a firm who specialises in conciliation services – such as Settlement Agreement services. For further information about the Conciliation process, see ‘Conciliation Explained’ a document found on the ACAS website.
ACAS - Conciliation Explained
Home
Bullying at Work
Advice for Managers & Businesses
Frequently asked Questions
Workplace Grievances
Bullying in the NHS
Employment Law
Conciliation in the Workplace
Spotting the Signs of Gaslighting
Bullying at School
Information for Children
Bullying Help Guides
Self Harm & Suicide
Anti Bullying
Cyberbullying
Bullying on Social Media
Hacking & Blackmail
Health
Mental Health
Work Related Stress
PTED
About Us
Bullying Campaigners
Testimonials
Contact Us
Case Assessments
Bullying Directory
Membership
Help Guides
Donations
Call the National Bullying Helpline on
0300 323 0169 or
0845 22 55 787
Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday