If you're not in a union who else can you get legal support for work issues?

[Silverclocks]

Ds2 has got himself in a pickle at work. Nothing awful, but he hasn't performed as he should.

The company have said he can be accompanied at meetings by either a union or a colleague, no one else, which I understand is usual, but isn't there some way to involve someone who can give him some proper advice?

He needs to sort himself out and take responsibility, but I'd like to know "someone" is giving him good advice. He's 19yo BTW.

ACAS are a good organisation to know about for this type of situation. I think they have a free helpline.

Tell him he needs to get a copy of their disciplinary / performance management procedure. If they don't have one employers should use the ACAS one. If he's out of probation a firm should start with warnings rather than dismissals (unless its gross misconduct) which would give him time to sort himself out. If performance, make sure he works out exactly what he needs to improve and by when and what support / training he will get. If they've got him bang to rights for something minor own up and show he's big enough to take responsibility and change. If he's picked on for reasons of sex, age, race etc talking to a lawyer might help.

Then when he's got through this, he needs to find an appropriate union and join it so if there's any more trouble he has support.

Acas can provide a bit of advice. Citizens advice bureau may help, but in my experience their advisors vary a lot in terms of accurate knowledge.

There's also employment lawyers.

But for a19 year old, who is underperforming, 'in a pickle' and 'needs to sort him out out', I suspect its a case of needing to grow up and understand what it means to be at work. See it all the time in HR, first jobbers can be fantastic, or they can be immature and, frankly, think they should be paid for skiving off half the time. Do you know what his issues are?

What stage is he at with the performance management? He probably doesn't need legal advice, more advice on a change of attitude.

The welfare rights team within your local authority may be able to offer support.

@Hollyhocksarenotmessy

Acas can provide a bit of advice. Citizens advice bureau may help, but in my experience their advisors vary a lot in terms of accurate knowledge.

There's also employment lawyers.

But for a19 year old, who is underperforming, 'in a pickle' and 'needs to sort him out out', I suspect its a case of needing to grow up and understand what it means to be at work. See it all the time in HR, first jobbers can be fantastic, or they can be immature and, frankly, think they should be paid for skiving off half the time. Do you know what his issues are?

What stage is he at with the performance management? He probably doesn't need legal advice, more advice on a change of attitude.

Yes, he's in the 3rd year of a four year apprenticeship. Did really well in the first year, then we had lockdown, wfh with no real "management", which coincided his dad was diagnosed with cancer, a long spell in hospital, so ds was unable to see his dad for months

By the time DH came home he was in a very bad way and died a few months later. All still while DS was still WFH with no leadership and no social contact. I don't think he really talked to anyone at work about it all, so it looks like his performance and ability to apply himself fell off a cliff, but the poor sod has had an awful lot to deal with.

Wouldn't recommend acas. All they do is tell you stuff you can Google anyway.

How about an employment lawyer?

Does his workplace have an employee assistance programme? Worth checking.

Can you write a letter detailing the circumstances above? Or ask him to write it down and read it aloud at the meeting? If it is an apprentice scheme then his workplace should be made aware of this context.

@DenholmElliot

Wouldn't recommend acas. All they do is tell you stuff you can Google anyway.

How about an employment lawyer?

TBF I've just been reminded of a time c. 15 years ago when ACAS were a godsend for DH, much better than his union. I don't know why I didn't think of them.

Has he told his employer all tge sad circumstances? Before going in with legal stuff i would check they actually know wjat he has had to deal with.

They know his dad was ill and then died, but I suspect when asked he says he's fine.