University of Bradford UCU’s trained Personal Case Workers provide one-to-one, confidential support for members experiencing difficulties at work. This support can be as simple as offering a listening ear, or advice on your employment rights, or it can include formal representation of members involved in grievances, redundancy discussions or contract negotiations.

To arrange a meeting with a Personal Case Worker, please email: ucusupport@bradford.ac.uk

Please note that the branch imposes a waiting period of 3 months before new members can be formally represented, but will offer advice and guidance during the waiting period.

What To Do If You Have a Problem at Work 

Alert the branch – If you find that you are experiencing a problem in the workplace, you should alert the branch by emailing ucusupport@bradford.ac.uk, indicating whether you are seeking advice on how best to deal with a potential or emerging matter (i.e. an informal chat) or whether you need more formal and structured support with an immediate issue (e.g. accompanying to a meeting with your manager). 

We recognise that workplace problems often build up over time but equally can come suddenly and without warning.   We recommend that wherever possible members contact the branch early so that advice can be given on the next steps and support aimed at calming the situation can be implemented. 

Provide information – Once your request is received, you will be asked to complete a couple of forms aimed at capturing information useful in assessing your situation and establishing your member status.   You should complete these forms AS FAR AS YOU CAN and return them promptly (do not worry if you can only partially complete them). 

Keep a Diary – In circumstances where you are experiencing ongoing issues that lead you to become concerned about your situation, we recommend that you diarise incidents (e.g. unreasonable requests, inappropriate comments, incidents of exclusion from meetings) both from the past and as they occur going forwards, as this will be useful in the event that you need to raise a grievance or defend an allegation. 

You are our eyes and ears – During periods of job precarity or insecurity (such as where a restructure is being undertaken), the branch should have been made aware of such plans, but all members are encouraged to inform the branch if they become aware of small-scale reorganisations (such as changes to job description to allow a vacancy to remain unfilled) to ensure that the branch has the fullest picture and the opportunity to intervene where appropriate.