The Help NGSU Can Offer Members

This page has been designed to give you a flavour of the help and support that NGSU can help our Members. Links marked with ‘**’ are only accessible by members.

Have you checked our Frequently Asked Questions?

You may well find that your question is answered here **.

Contact Us for Free Confidential Advice

If you need help or advice at work, the NGSU is here to support you. There’s information on a variety of work-related topics in our “Help At Work” pages **, that you can read at a time that’s convenient for you. And, of course, we have a team of union employees who are trained to help and represent members in a range of situations at work. We also have a network of District and Department Representatives ** who are available for you to talk to – either about personal issues at work or to hear your views on working life at Nationwide in general.

Individual Cases Officers

Individual Cases Officers (ICOs) are employees of the Union who provide a dedicated resource for helping individual members. The ICOs are trained to represent members at hearings ** called for disciplinary or capability purposes and to support members in pursuing dispute resolution/grievances, including discrimination and harassment cases. You can speak to an ICO in total confidence; they will listen to your concerns and provide advice and suggestions on how to deal with your concerns. They will not contact anyone at Nationwide to discuss your issues unless you ask them to.

To speak to an ICO please call us at Middleton Cheney on 01295 710767 or send us an email. If you have been invited to a hearing or formal HR meeting, please use this form ** instead.

Disciplinary Officers

Disciplinary Officers (DOs) are Union members who have been trained and accredited to represent other members at formal disciplinary or capability hearings. A DO will support you before, during and after your hearing. They will ensure that your hearing is conducted fairly and in accordance with agreed procedures and that you are given a full opportunity to out your case to the person conducting the hearing. With their knowledge of previous cases, DOs can also ensure that any decision reached at a hearing is consistent with decisions given in the past.

DOs have full rights of representation at hearings and so can speak on your behalf and address the hearing. They’ll talk you through what to expect before a hearing and help you assess the implications of any decisions. If necessary they’ll help you submit an appeal or refer you to an ICO who will seek expert legal advice if required.

District and Department Representatives

Often your District (branch network) or Department Representative (DR) will be your first port of call if you need help from the Union. Your DR will be based within your Area or in or near your department, so they are easy to contact and meet. Your DR can put forward your views on issues at work to the Regional Council and the Union’s negotiating team, give you general advice on how to seek further help from the union or, where appropriate, take local action on your behalf.

To find out who your District or Department Representative click here ** or call 01295 710767.

Free Legal Helpline

NGSU members can call our legal helpline ** for free advice from the Union’s solicitors Slater and Gordon.  The helpline is available between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm (you can call outside of these hours and arrange a call back).  The helpline can help with a range of issues – see the full list at the link.