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What is a trade union representative?

A trade union representative (rep) is a member of a trade union who represents their work colleagues in dealings with an employer. They often provide advice on employment matters directly to colleagues. Trade union reps are also called ‘lay representatives’ or ‘lay officials’ to separate them from officials who are employees of the trade union.

Trade union reps are volunteers. They do not receive extra pay for their work as reps, though many are entitled to time off with pay to undertake their role as a rep.

• Joining a trade union

The role of trade union reps

Trade union reps are there to:

• discuss any concerns you have with your employer
• accompany you to disciplinary or grievance hearings
• represent you in collective bargaining over your pay and your terms and conditions of employment
• talk to your employer to try and find agreements to resolve any workplace issues
• engage with your employer to develop best practice in various workplace areas, such as health and safety

Your employer should consult trade union reps if:

• there is a business transfer or takeover
• they are planning to make 20 or more employees redundant within a period of 90 days

• Business transfers and takeovers: right to consultation

• Redundancy: your rights to consultation

Your right to be accompanied

You can ask a trade union rep to go with you to a meeting with your employer where you have the right to be accompanied, for example meetings where:

• your employer wishes to discuss a disciplinary charge against you
• you wish to raise a grievance with your employer
• your employer wishes to discuss your request not to retire

Your trade union does not have to find a rep to go with you.

You might need to attend a meeting that you don’t have the right to be accompanied to, or nobody is available to accompany you. In these situations, you could still ask your employer if someone else can attend with you.

• Grievance procedures

• Disciplinary procedures

Becoming a trade union rep

If you want to become a trade union rep you can find more information on your trade union’s website or through a rep in your workplace. Your trade union may appoint you, or you may have to be elected to represent your colleagues.

If you become a trade union rep, your trade union may ask you to take time off work for training, or to perform trade union duties. Your employer should give you a reasonable amount of time off for these activities. You will be entitled to be paid for a reasonable amount of time off if your trade union is recognised by your employer.

• Time off for trade union duties and activities

Other types of reps

There are some types of workplace rep that might not be trade union reps, for example, where no trade union is recognised in the workplace. They can include:

• health and safety reps
• reps elected or appointed to consult with employers during redundancies and business transfers
• reps elected or appointed under an information and consultation agreement
  

• Health and safety representatives

• Redundancy: your rights to consultation

• Employee information and consultation