Is it worth being in a union these days with legal cover on my home insurance covering employment

FIRSTTIMER

Thinking I would only use them for employment disputes in a real emergency, so wondering whether to renew my union membership next year in case of grievances/disputes. Surely, this home insurance and early conciliation via ACAS would cover it?

Advice Please....

Andy_L

What are the limits of cover on the insurance (both money terms and what they cover eg does there have to be formal action before they get involved)

sangie595

ACAS will neither represent you nor will it give you legal advice. They are a "neutral" party in conciliation, although how neutral any body can be when it has the purpose of reducing employment tribunal hearings is anyone's guess. Legally insurance might or might not cover you for a tribunal or other court claim, but it won't cover you for anything that involves keeping your job! In other words, after you've been sacked or forced out it might provide some cover - but it won't help you a bit to avoid losing your job in the first place.

steampowered

Yes absolutely keep the union membership.

A union is able to help at a much earlier stage than your home insurance's solicitors or ACAS. Normally at a stage when the problem can be fixed.

By the time you enter ACAS conciliation or involve your insurance's solicitors, that usually means things have gone too far wrong to be fixed - i.e. they usually get involved after you've already lost your job.

eamon

Trade unions do much more than try and save our jobs.
Collective bargaining on wages.
Looking after our health & safety whilst as work.
Legal advice (not just employment law).
Just to name a few. Well worth my monthly dues.

agrinnall

Also posted on the Insurance board.

nicechap

Presumably you’ll be happy not to get any pay rises negotiated by the union as well as lose any help if you go off sick.