why join?
Individual representation and legal advice
MEMBER support
There when you need help
Each year the FDA supports hundreds of individual members with cases involving their employers. These issues range from performance appraisal to redundancy and severance to discrimination and bullying to disciplinary charges and dismissal.
Our network of local reps and National Officers are here to help you with problems at work by providing highly personalised advice, advocacy and hands-on representation.
If you are experiencing a workplace issue, your first port of call is your local FDA rep, who will be well-placed to offer advice and support as well as represent you through internal processes with your employer.
All FDA reps are supported by a dedicated National Officer, on hand to offer additional advice and represent members with complex workplace issues.
Problem at work? In need of help?
Get in touch now and one of our reps will be here to support you.
Legal assistance
As an FDA member, you can benefit from legal advice and assurance for disputes with your employer or with a third party directly arising from your employment.
If deemed proportionate and necessary, the costs of legal advice commissioned by the FDA will be covered as part of your FDA membership and the union will support you every step of the way where your case has merit. For cases such as these, members must have been a part of the union for a minimum of six months to qualify.
HELP
FAQs
Individual representation means the FDA supports you personally through a workplace dispute or issue with your employer. This could involve your local FDA rep advising you on your rights, attending meetings with you, helping you prepare a written response, or formally representing you through an internal process such as a grievance, disciplinary hearing or appeal.
It is always best to contact your union early – reps may be able to give advice and guidance that avoids an issue growing. We will also try and resolve your issue informally before it escalates – but we are willing a prepared to pursue matters further when needed and proportionate.
The FDA can support members with a wide range of workplace issues, including performance appraisals and capability processes, disciplinary charges and dismissal, redundancy and severance, discrimination, bullying and harassment, grievances, unfair treatment, and much more. If you are facing a problem at work, the FDA is there to help, no issue is too small to raise.
If you are an FDA member and need help, your first step is to contact your workplace FDA rep. You can find your rep’s details by logging in to the FDA member portal. Every employer also has a dedicated National Officer and support team available to provide additional assistance.
A trade union representative – often called a union rep or workplace rep – is a trained member of the union who supports colleagues with workplace issues. They do not work for the union, rather are your colleagues who volunteer to represent members and understand workplace issues from first hand experience.