Ok, who knows about Unions?

[SaltireOShanter]

I have some questions.

Ok
I work in a shop, so which Union would I join?
If I joined in the next couple of days would they be able to advise me on something before I go back to work on Monday (am off ill)

I thought the shop one is USDAW in the main. Not all shops recognise them from a negotiating point of view, but their legal support etc is always useful.

I have been told by a colleague (who is a member of a union) that the company we work for don't like the U word mentioned. its not so much negotiating, I just want a few facts before I go back.
Have been off ill (got docs note) work always put absence down as "Unathorised" and then give us warnings etc. I have been told I will get a disciplinary for this.

AFAIK unions may not give you advice if you have only just joined.

You could always try acas (just google it)

I got a sicknote today, had a self certificate which started last Friday. The absence from last Friday until Today goes down as unathorised. If someone takes ill at workk, the team manager isn't allowed to say to them "go home you are ill",neither can the staff member ask to go home, the staff member has to say "I'm ill, I'm going home" so it can then be marked down as unathorised

Its huge high street chain.

Worksmart has lots of useful information, including a union finder for particular companies / sectors.

When DH had problems at work (many jobs ago) and wasn't a union member, he was able to join and get support and advice from them. He has been a member ever since

thats horrid saltire

can we boycott them

Dittany . I do I ahve both a handbook and a contract. What it says is
Call your team manager at least half an hour before you are due to start if you are ill and unable to make it.
You can self certificate for (howeverm many days), then you need to get a doctors line
If there is repeated absence which is causing concern then we may instigate disciplinary procedure.

Then on the back to work interview you get shown this chart thing, with all the different number of sickness and a line to a comment. So for example, first absence leads to a line saying "tell the employee they are not meeting the high standards set by the company.
2nd one says Issue verbal warning, etc etcv