Problems with union - unsure if their advice is helpful

[notsureaboutthisnow]

Long story.

Suspended from job in school since after the Easter break. Obviously involved union.

They have not been massively helpful and I’m worried (obviously worried anyway.) Wondering whether it’s better to go with an employment solicitor or similar. Would welcome any experiences or help, feel a bit lost.

You could try phoning ACAS.
Are you being paid because I believe that they cannot suspend you and NOT pay you.
If you think you may be dismissed you need to speak with your Union or ACAS asap.
You may have a case against the school and need to go through an employment tribunal. If this is the case there are strict time limits for registering with tribunal. I would not delay if I was you. Get advice soon. Citizens Advice Bureau can offer advice as well. But ACAS is the main one.
Hope you can get some support.

Thanks. Yeah, on full pay but obviously it’s a horrible situation to be in.

I did actually speak to ACAS who gave me contradictory advice to the union which is why I’m unsure how much credence to give to the union especially because some of the things they want to do seem to me to be antagonising the people I need to keep on side if you like.

I don't know if you're being given duff union advice, but to warn you once you start taking advice from other (official) sources, most unions won't represent you. I would ask for a meeting with someone higher up in your union instead.

When you say you spoke to the union, is this the shop steward or an actual union official?

If shop steward, call and speak to a union official directly.

If union official, and you're unsure about their advice, call and ask to speak to their boss. Or better yet, email so that you have a paper trail.

I worked in trade unions for years, and there is always one useless official who only seems to be able to use their knowledge to prevent themselves from being fired no matter how much they fuck up.

It’s a school rep yeah which also worries me. That isn’t my choice, just who I have been allocated if you like. If it goes to disciplinary and it certainly will I’ll have the regional rep but I feel like this should have been the case from the start and I’m uncomfortable about taking their advice as it contradicts ACAS.

I'm a school rep, and generally good - wouldn't be able to deal with a suspension case though that would go to someone higher than me.

You aren’t legally entitled to be represented by a lawyer.

Ask to change rep if necessary.

I know I’m not @AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti .

My worry is that firstly this should have been dealt with by the regional rep to start with. Some of the roads the school rep is pushing to go down don’t seem wise to me. And I’ve been told contradictory things from ACAS and the union and I’m not sure what to believe now.