NGSU Rapport 85 – Spring 2016

Rapport THE NATIONWIDE GROUP STAFF UNION MAGAZINE

SPRING 2016 | ISSUE 83

THE HONEST TRUTH

EXPERIENCE DAYS

FantaStiC neW beneFit With nGSU MeMbeRShiP

SaFeR dRiVinG CaMPaiGn GetS in GeaR

ALL CHANGE?

tiMe to thinK aboUt PeRFoRManCe ManaGeMent

D R O W E H T K MUM’S RS AT WOR G CARE

SUPPORTIN

NEWS&VIEWS: P2 | BENEFITS: P9 | HERE TO HELP: P14

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welcome…

Thank you for voting me into this new role and I hope that in the next two years I can support you to the best of my ability.

My first few weeks as President have been really busy and I am looking forward to meeting many more Reps at Regional Councils and supporting members wherever possible.

I am looking forward to attending Roadshows at NH, BAC & NAC over the next few weeks and hopefully meet as many members as possible.

Do come along for a chat so we can get to know each other!

Nicola Huddlestone President Throughout the magazine we use Tinyurls – these simply turn a long web address into a much shorter one.

COnTACT uS… NGSU Middleton Farmhouse, 37 Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury, Oxon OX17 2QT Tel: 01295 710767 Fax: 01295 712580 ngsu@ngsu.org.uk www.ngsu.org.uk @TimPoil NGSU

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CONTENTS 3 6 7 8 9 10 12

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News & views From your union Past performance How to appeal against an annual rating All change on performance Performance management – time to change?

Tim’s blog General Secretary’s view from Middleton Cheney farmhouse Benefits Find out what benefits your Union can give you Cut price treat days 20% discount off Virgin Experience Days Giving a care Support and flexibility are the key needs for a growing band of carers Here to help Q&As and top tips Driving: the honest truth NGSU on board with safer driving campaign Souking it up Joining NGSU helped Jo Joyce win a luxury holiday Coffee break Six book challenge, pets’ corner, book reviews, prize wordsearch

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Rapport Editorial board Nicola Huddlestone, President Chris Palfrey, NEC Officer Tim Rose, Assistant General Secretary Editorial consultant Astrid Stubbs Design & production www.design-mill.co.uk

Printed in the UK www.banburylitho.co.uk Advertising Tim Rose trose@ngsu.org.uk

news&views NGSU AT CALEDONIA HOUSE NGSU has appointed Mairi Jones as a full-time Individual Cases Officer (ICO) for Caledonia House in Dunfermline. Our ICO team provide advice and support to individual members and represent members at formal disciplinary and grievance hearings and we are pleased that we can now provide an on-site presence to members in Caledonia House and across Scotland. Mairi’s office is situated on the ground floor west (behind customer care). Please call 01295 710767 to book a confidential appointment.

& For info on appeals s w performance repvaie ge 7 see mEmbERSHiP iS uP We are delighted to report that membership of NGSU increased during 2015 and at the end of the year stood at 12,197.

Our membership means that we represent the significant proportion of the permanent workforce at Nationwide. This is important because it means we have a strong voice within the organisation. As an organisation funded primarily by subscriptions, a growing membership means we remain financially strong and able to provide services to members. If you know someone who isn’t a member please encourage them to join and help keep our voice strong.

Join online at www.ngsu.org.uk

mEET niCOLA New NGSU President Nicola Huddlestone has lost count of the number of branches and areas she has worked in during her 28 years with Nationwide.

A Mortgage Consultant at Leicester in East Midlands, Nicola started on the counter and has done a variety of roles including Customer Service Manager.

She joined the Union on her first day of work in November 1987.

“I feel very strongly that every member of the workforce is entitled to fair representation and has the right to join an independent Union,” she explains.

Nicola became a Rep when, through a very personal experience, she needed the Union’s support to uphold the terms of her contract. “Although a difficult time NGSU supported me and this gave me the drive and passion to help others to receive fair treatment at work. I became National Regional Officer as I felt I had more to offer, and now I feel as President I can continue to support all members,” she says.

Nicola is particularly interested in supporting the Safe to Speak campaign, diversity, women at work and Rewards and Recognition. “I want to ensure that I make a difference to all members whether retailbased or working from any of the centres.

I am heavily involved with Regional Councils so understand the daily issues that concern us all. Each of us have different concerns and issues but I am committed to representing you and promoting the recently passed motions at Conference.”

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SPREAD THE LOVE

February saw unions spreading the love when the heartunions week of action celebrated the great work done by union reps and members in workplaces and in society. The week was a celebration of all the good unions do and a rejection of the government’s attempts to damage them with the trade union bill.

Fix that fault Find out more at heartunions.org

Rep numbers up Local NGSU Representatives are appointed for a two year term of office. We’ve had a great response to our call for members to stand as Reps for the 2016-2017 term and have filled around 80% of our constituency vacancies. This means we have a Network of 179 Reps spread across most business areas in Nationwide. Local Reps play a vital role in the union, supporting union members in their business area and participating in the consultation process via the Employment Involvement Business Committees.

You can find out who your local Rep is from our website at tinyurl.com/jouwbk5. If you’re interested in becoming a Rep please check out our current vacancies at www.tinyurl.com/hhfycrk

Are you one of the members who gets frustrated at how long it can sometimes take to get things fixed at work?

Keeping on top of maintenance for the growing number of admin centres and the branch network is a mammoth task.

Harvey Carpenter, Facilities Assurance Manager, says: “With over 4,000 faults a month being logged we unfortunately do not get it right every time. The most important thing is to log the fault correctly using Log a Fault – Property Services. If you have logged a fault and the resolution time has passed or the resolution has not solved the issue, please help us by following our escalation process.

Search Property Escalation on the intranet and select the Retail area or Admin building you are in for details and contact numbers. We’ll then do our very best to resolve the issue as quickly as we can”.

news&views Join the debate The Forum, our online chat room, is back up and running following a relaunch. The Forum allows members to share experiences of working at Nationwide and ask questions about working conditions. Members can edit their Forum profile and select a display name if they prefer to stay anonymous. To join the debate, simply log on to the NGSU website and follow the links to the Forum. Please join the debate – it’s a great way for members to exchange views and information with the Union. PS: Don’t forget to read the house rules!

ook We’re now on Faceblike – find and us at NGSU Conference Update

Our National Conference in October debated over 50 motions about issues that NGSU members would like the Union to pursue with Nationwide. We’ve already started working on some of the issues raised and have opened discussions with HR about the way the Society engages temporary workers, reviewing the amount of paid maternity leave, the operation of the secondment policy and how the Society can promote wellbeing and provision to support employees with mental health issues.

There were a number of issues raised about pay and we are pursing these as part of a comprehensive review of all pay mechanics.

Other issues, such as branch resourcing, are subject to discussion through the Employee Involvement Business Committees. It can take a while for issues to feed through into changes in terms and conditions but so far in 2016 we have seen an increase in the 10 loyalty award, 24 hour personal accident cover being extended to all employees (previously employees who joined NBS after June 2007 were excluded) and the requirement to take a two week holiday being removed for most employees, giving more flexibility in the way holiday can be taken.

Dyslexia discrimination A Starbucks employee has won a disability discrimination case against the company after problems arising from her dyslexia led her to make mistakes.

An employment tribunal found that Meseret Kumulchew was discriminated against and accused of falsifying documents while working as a supervisor at a Starbucks branch in London, where she was required to enter a record of fridge and water temperatures at specific times on a duty roster.

After recording incorrect information her employer accused her of falsifying documents.

The tribunal found Starbucks had failed to make reasonable adjustments for her disability and had discriminated against her because of the effects of her dyslexia.

Dr Kate Saunders, chief executive of the British Dyslexia Association, said cases such as Ms Kumulchew’s should be a “wake-up call” for employers. It estimates that as many as one in 10 people have dyslexia, although many have not been formally diagnosed.

See our ‘top tips’ on employer responsibility, page 15.

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Past performance

Here’s how to appeal against an annual rating

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our annual rating determines your pay review and your bonus if you participate in the Group Bonus Scheme. It’s also an important factor in selection procedures for promotion. If you believe that your annual rating is not a fair reflection of your performance you should use the Appeals Procedure – it’s too important to ignore.

Read the Official Performance Management Information There is a wealth of information on the Performance Management intranet site. It’s worth reading so you know how the Society expects performance management to be conducted. It is important to read the rating descriptors so that you understand what is required for each.

This will help you construct your appeal case in a way that demonstrates why your performance meets the descriptor you think you deserve.

Summarise the full 12 month’s performance Go back over the whole year and jot down some bullet points that explain how you performed for each month. Make a note of any particular highlights: for example, if you took on additional tasks or responsibilities describe how they helped you raise the bar on the expected standards.

Remember, your rating should reflect ‘what’ you did and ‘how’ you did it – so make a note of your

It’s good to have some moral support and we’ll make sure you’ve said everything you think is important. Call us on 01295 710767 or e-mail us at ngsu@ngsu.org.uk

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achievements and the behaviours you’ve shown throughout the year.

It’s also important to note any challenges you had to cope with, such as resourcing issues, changes to your business objectives, local market factors or things happening in your personal life that may have had an impact on your performance.

Talk about your challenges but be positive. If you’ve faced challenges during the year, it is important to note them but be positive and explain how you’ve succeeded despite any difficulties. It’s important to show how you’ve overcome such barriers.

Evidence is the key. Collect as much evidence as you can, such as your 1-to-1 notes, feedback from colleagues and relevant facts and figures. Use the evidence to support the points you’ve noted down.

Be realistic in the assessment of your performance. Once you’ve put your case together ask yourself if the evidence really matches the descriptor of the rating you want. Just because you were rated as ‘Exceed’ last year, it doesn’t mean you should be rated the same this year – you need to prove why you deserve it.

Ask for NGSU Representation You are entitled to be represented at the appeal meeting. We can’t guarantee that we can get your rating increased but we’ll help you make your case to the best effect.

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All change on performance It’s time for Nationwide to update its approach to performance management

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ike many UK and global organisations Nationwide has long relied on a formal annual performance management process as a mechanism to help drive a high performance culture. But there are a growing number of organisations abandoning the process.

Last year the multinational management consulting services Accenture announced it was to scrap its annual performance rating process in favour of providing employees with regular support to help them perform better in the future rather than try to measure the value of their contribution on past performance.

Other high profile companies such as Deloittes, BBC, Adobe, Expedia, Motorola and Microsoft have also said they will follow suit.

A report published by Deloitte University Press argues that it is now widely accepted that an annual appraisal process, that ranks employees against their colleagues, is broken and advocates a shift towards continuous development, where managers are coaches and not evaluators.

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nGSU SaYS It’s time for Nationwide to update its approach to performance management. The distribution curves of ratings at the last annual and interim appraisals shows that nearly 80% of employees are rated as ‘Met Objectives’. Many members tell us that they have lost confidence in the process, believing that their performance rating is determined at calibration to fit a desired distribution curve. There is no incentive to strive for excellence with an approach that rates everyone the same. It seems that performance management has simply become a process to deliver ratings as a way of distributing pay and bonuses.

If Nationwide is to fulfil its ambition of being a high performing organisation, it must adopt an approach to performance management that inspires and motivates employees to become higher achievers. A good first step would be to empower managers and employees to have a constructive two-way conversation about performance without the handcuffs imposed by the current approach to calibration.

Delivering change across the whole organisation will take time but that makes it imperative that this work starts now.

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on Farmhouse Tim’s Blog The view from Middlet

Tim Poil As part of the 2012 pay review, it was agreed that Nationwide and NGSU would work collaboratively on a strategic review of pay. It is a commitment that was given again in 2013 and as part of every pay review since.

These promises of a review have yielded very little in the way of changes that make any real difference to address the problems that hinder the Society’s ability to retain skills and compete for the new talent necessary to meet the changing demands of the financial services sector.

I am pleased to report then that the Union was finally presented with a draft Terms of Reference for a strategic review of pay in December 2015. Following a period of consultation we have now agreed the scope of the review and work will begin to understand the issues that need to be

approach to pay and it resolved and proposals for will be interesting to see what change to be developed. fresh direction he will bring.

The scope of the review is I wish him well in the role and broad and will consider the look forward to meeting him pay principles that define the over the coming months.

Society’s reward strategy, Joe will be the fifth Chief the link between pay and Executive that I’ve had the performance management, and opportunity to work with during the balance between fixed n, uatio my tenure as General Secretary variable pay, job eval to oach appr pay scales and the of the Union. They have all and ion ress prog issues such as been different characters and also will w revie The . promotion approached the role in their to oach appr total the consider own way but I think I can s, ance allow at look and rd rewa say that they have all been flexible benefits and pensions. interested in working with the Due to the complex issues Union and listening to what the review will cover and the we have to say on behalf of financial implications that will the Society’s employees. flow from it, the implementation I know that is true of Graham phase will inevitably stretch Beale. Over the past few years over a number of years. That we have met on a regular basis doesn’t mean some change to talk about the direction of can’t be introduced sooner the Society and the impact and we’ll continue to urge on employees. Graham has the Society to take steps to always listened carefully to address some of the issues the concerns of the Union as soon as it is practical and has been supportive of to do so. After all, this is a our role helping to shape the review that is already four working environment through years behind schedule and a positive and constructive change is long overdue. consultation process. On We are just a few weeks al behalf of NGSU, I’d like to wish away now until the arriv of Joe Garner, the new Graham all the best for the . utive Exec f Nationwide Chie future and thank him for the ct expe I er start Like any new important role he has played to e whil a take Joe will in steering the organisation the with liar fami me beco through difficult times. d rstan unde to and tion nisa orga You can follow Tim the challenges of the job. No on twitter @TimPoil doubt he’ll have a view on the

benefits FIRST PRIZE DRAW RESULTS

HOST OUR PRIZE DRAW

Would you like to host the monthly subscription draw in your branch or department? We’re looking for venues to hold the draw throughout 2016. The draw is held on the first Wednesday every month and there must be five union members present to draw the numbers. It usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes to draw all the winning numbers.

Prize Chance Sum Winner Branch/Department WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 1st 097690 £12,674 Alison Verity Burnley branch WEDNESDAY 6TH JANUARY 1st 090106 £12,650 Peter MacMurray Greater London Area WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 1st 111626 £12,636 Kate Hearn Sudbury branch WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 1st 109780 £12,533 Carman Malham Caversham branch

TO ENTER THE DRAW OR INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING, PLEASE CALL 01295 710767

If you’d like to take part simply email us at ngsu@ngsu.org.uk

For details of all winners see our website.

S e o R e h L a C Lo The David Hopkins Award recognises the amazing work members do in their communities and is intended to support personal development that is relevant to the activities they undertake.

Awards have been made to help towards the cost of training for sports coaching for young people (football teams and scout groups) and working with disabled groups.

The Award was set up in memory of David Hopkins, former Head of Corporate Human Resources at Nationwide, who tragically died in a road accident in 1996.

To apply for an award please write to us and tell us about the work you do in your local community. Awards are made to support individuals in developing skills that support their activity and not as donations to charitable causes.

Available funds are limited and offers of awards will be made to those nominations that most closely match the aims of the fund. Awards of up to £500 will be allocated by the Trustees, together with members of the Union’s National Executive Committee.

Please send applications by email to ngsu@ngsu.org.uk or by letter to our office in Middleton Cheney.

ChaRitabLe FUnd

At the NGSU Conference 2005 delegates voted for the Union to set up and maintain a charitable fund .

The fund allows the Union to mak e charitable donations, recognising our wider responsibility to the nationa l and international community.

Requests for charitable donations are considered and authorised by the National Executive Committee (NEC). The Fund operates under the following principles: • The recipient must be a registered charity • The charity should normally be nationally recognised • Donations should be used for the benefit of people within a community or group or part of a disaster campaign.

For more information please call nicola huddlestone, nGSU President, on 01295 710767

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Cut price treat days NGSU’s new benefit for members is a 20% discount off Virgin Experience Days

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hy not treat your loved one, or even yourself to an indulgent treat, a fantastic day out, or once-in-a-lifetime experience?

NGSU have teamed up with Virgin Experiences Days to offer you an exclusive 20% discount on all full priced experiences - yes, all 1,600 of them!

So just what is an experience day voucher? It is a gift that goes the extra mile to offer something memorable, different and fun. A memory to make at their own convenience, packed stylishly in a Virgin gift pack.

The Virgin spirit of fun and passion runs through all our experience days.

From our first loves – flying lessons and track days – to our current collection, which includes every possible way you can imagine to enjoy those off-duty moments.

The list is endless and includes everything from gourmet master classes, balloon flights, football stadium tours, afternoon tea treats, spa days or even a day at the zoo… there really is something for everyone!

hoW to obtain YoUR diSCoUnt Visit the website below where you can access your fantastic discount, by simply clicking on the link. Or if you would prefer to speak to one of Virgin’s friendly Experience Experts please call 0844 504 0844 and quote NGSU, who will help you on your way to finding the perfect gift! www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk/NGSU

MaKe the MoSt oF YoUR MeMbeRShiP the Union’s main purpose is to protect your interests at work. but to help you make the most of your membership, we also offer a range of excellent benefits in addition to the fabulous new experience days. below are just some of the benefits we have on offer but do check out the full range in the member benefit pages on our website.

Monthly Subscription Draw

Join the draw for chance to win fantastic cash prizes. buy up to 10 chances (£1 per chance) – 75% of the total money collected is allocated as prize money and the remaining monies form part of the Union’s general fund. the more members who join the draw, the bigger the prize pool. the first prize is currently over £12,500! Call us to join or increase your number of chances.

Free Legal Helpline

the helpline service is provided by Slater & Gordon Lawyers. the service aims to answer simple queries straight away or to provide initial assistance on more complex matters. the helpline covers a wide range of legal matters, including crime; family matters, wills; consumer issues and employment matters. Call the helpline on 0800 916 9063. nGSU members can also claim discounts of between 10% and 30% on legal documents, such as wills. Use the code YLR294nGS to claim your discount. www.yourlegaldocuments.co.uk

our website to find out more about this unique service and to enter exclusive competitions. Please note this is not a price comparison site – please call 0800 9531263 or 01422 847847 to find out how much money you can save. www.ngsutravelclub.co.uk

NGSU Extras

this is our benefits service run by Salary exchange. extras offer a range of discounts from some of the biggest names on the high street, great offers in the secret sales and a cashback when using the pre-paid teamClub Mastercard. Visit our website to register – using nGSU as the company name and benefits as the password. https://ngsu.salary-extras.co.uk/

Discount Cinema Tickets

Purchase discount cinema tickets for Cineworld, empire, Showcase and other cinemas. You can buy five pairs of discounted tickets a month. this service is available as part of nGSU extras.

O2 Discount

Save 25% when you take out an o2 refresh plan. Call 0800 987 8047 for more details. www.o2pen.co.uk

Affinity Car Leasing

Discounted vehicle leasing tailored to your needs. Call 08450 57 57 50. www.affinityvehicleleasing. com/members/ngsu

Personal Injury Advice and Compensation Service

Hotpoint Privilege Purchase Club

Slater & Gordon offer free legal advice on injury claims arising from accidents in the past 3 years and, where appropriate, legal representation to claim compensation at no cost to you. Call 0800 916 9064.

discounts on hotpoint, Whirlpool and indesit products. enter code nGSU/001. there’s an extra 10% discount in March (enter March10 at the checkout). www.privilegepurchaseclub.co.uk

NGSU Travel Club

Other benefits

We’ve helped many members make great savings on their holidays and other travel needs. Run by benchmark travel, the travel Club will try hard to beat and internet and travel agents price. Check

We also have offers on dental care, medical cashback plans, cancer insurance, tax refunds and our Commission Rebate Scheme (check out the back page for details).

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Giving a care Support and flexibility are the key needs for a growing band of carers

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ike most people Charlotte Fackerell enjoys going out and seeing friends. But unlike most, caring responsibilities for her mum means she can never be spontaneous.

Charlotte, Operations Manager with Nationwide in Ilford, has worked for the organisation for 30 years. She also shares her home with her mum, June, but a fall a few years ago left June needing increasing amounts of help.

“Mum was active until a couple of years ago but a bad fall left her with a broken nose and ribs and she lost all her confidence,” says Charlotte.

Now her mum needs more support around the home from Charlotte, who also has to ensure she is safe while Charlotte is at work. “It’s silly things like making sure there is something left for mum to eat, unscrewing the lid of the milk so she can open it, opening some soup.” she explains.

“People don’t realise how difficult things are sometimes,” says Charlotte. “It’s like having a child but being a carer isn’t viewed in the same way as being a parent.”

Yvonne Agyeman, a PBM in Central London, has been looking after her mum, Joyce, every weekend since a stroke left her unable to care for herself.

Yvonne shares care with another relative and as well as using holiday entitlement to take her mum to a vast array of appointments and organising

Carers week takes place from 6-12 June 2016.

www.carersweek.org/

all her finances, she lives in with her mum every weekend, preparing all her meals as well as providing all her cleaning and personal care.

“It has changed my life completely from one day to the next and it is very hard,“ says Yvonne, who adds that while she has had fantastic support from her manager she wants to know that the company will continue to provide that support.

“I want support in my role as a carer given that I have given 15 years of my life to them,” she adds.

With costs of care homes at eyewatering levels and a growing ageing population, more colleagues could find themselves in the same position as Charlotte and Yvonne, taking care of relatives at home and attempting to juggle work and carer commitments.

“I love my job and work is my sanity,” says Charlotte who says a

SUPPoRt FoR eMPLoYeeS Nationwide has been highlighting support for employees with caring responsibilities. Last summer it ran a We care You care campaign, showcasing some of the support available to employees – carers leave and flexible working. They are also encouraging employees to identify themselves as carers on the HR Peoplesoft system.

They also encourage employees to sign up to Employers for Carers to enable them to access information and resources. EFC are linked to Carers UK.

“I had a very supportive manager who was understanding and allowed me to make time up” colleague who has been through a similar situation has been her lifeline.

But until she spoke to a colleague from NGSU Charlotte had no idea about the Nationwide Carers Leave policy and wants to raise awareness of what help is available as well as pressing for improvements, including increased flexibility, to help people juggle busy lives.

“I had a very supportive manager who was understanding and allowed me to make time up but I didn’t realise I could have taken time off and not holiday when my mum had her fall. I didn’t know there was a policy!”

As well as raising awareness Charlotte is keen to set up a support forum among colleagues who are going through a similar situation, sharing information and tips as well as offering a listening ear if needs be.

Support is available at nationwide: • Carers Leave (part of the Other Family Friendly Leave Policy): allows an employee to take up to 13 week’s unpaid leave to support them with their caring responsibilities.

• Emergency Time Off for Dependents – up to two days paid leave to deal with an emergency involving a dependent.

• Flexible Working Policy – employees can request changes to their working arrangements to help them manage work and caring responsibilities – subject to operational needs.

• Buying Additional Holiday – employees can buy five additional days holiday a year as part of the You Choose Flexible Benefits scheme (guaranteed) and can request to buy a further five days.

deFinition oF a CaReR Join Charlotte’s support forum.

Contact her at charlotte.fackerell@ nationwide.co.uk EFC www.employers forcarers.org

Employers for Carers defines a carer as “employees with significant caring responsibilities that have a substantial impact on their working lives. These employees are responsible for the care and support of disabled, elderly or sick partners, relatives or friends who are unable to care for themselves.”

There are 6.5 million carers in the UK - 1 in 8 adults.

This is set to rise to nine million by 2037. Three million people combine work with caring for a loved one. Over two million work full time and one million parttime. That equates to one in nine people in every workforce.

tURninG WoRdS into aCtion The Union welcomes the Society raising the profile of carers and the support available to employees. This is a good start but our experience is that operational needs means these good intentions don’t always translate into practical help for employees. This is particularly true for branches and contact centres, where resourcing issues means that providing more time off or agreeing flexible arrangements aren’t practical. There needs to be more work to raise awareness of the issue and to encourage operational managers to work with employees and provide the support they need.

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QA &

We answer your questions about working terms and conditions at Nationwide…

Can I contact my manager by text to report a sickness absence?

No – the sickness absence reporting procedures require employees to contact their manager (or the manager’s authorised deputy) by telephone. If you can’t call you should arrange for someone to do so on your behalf. You must call your manager as early as possible and no later than one hour of your start time.

Staying in contact by text or e-mail while you’re off sick is only permitted if you have agreed this with your manager.

Failure to follow the correct sickness absence reporting procedures can mean you’ll lose pay for that day and be subject to disciplinary action.

Do I have to agree to appear in work photographs that are posted on social media?

No – the Communications and Privacy Policy sets out a number of principles that must be followed when using social media at work. These require anyone who is thinking about uploading photos to seek permission of the people in the photographs before posting them. They are required to respect the wishes of anyone who does not want their picture published.

We’ve created a new Frequently Asked Questions section on the NGSU website.

This brings together all the Q&As from previous editions of Rapport

If there’s a Q&A would like to be included e-mail us at ngsu@ngsu.org.uk

I have a long journey to get to a training course venue, can I travel and stay in a hotel the night before?

Many training courses are now starting at 10 am to allow more time to travel to the venue and to complete some of the journey in work time. However, if the journey from your home to the venue is more than one hour, you can request to travel the day before and stay overnight.

This is confirmed in the Training and Development section of the Intranet – look for Information for Delegates.

New FAQs Section on the NGSU website We’ve created a new Frequently Asked Questions section on the NGSU website. This brings together all the Q&As from previous editions of Rapport and answers to the latest issues being raised with our Individual Cases Officers (ICOs) and Reps. You’ll find them in the Help at Work section of the website. Let us know if there’s a Q&A would like to be included – e-mail us at ngsu@ngsu.org.uk.

here to help...

Employers must ensure disabled staff are not disadvantaged at work but what does that mean?

The Equality Act 2010 provides legal protection for disabled workers. The Act prohibits disability discrimination at all stages of employment. It recognises that disabled people face additional challenges and places a requirement on employers to make reasonable adjustments.

The Act sets out a broad definition of disability. Under the Act, a person is considered to be disabled if they have “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”.

This is wide-ranging and covers many situations, including a range of hidden disabilities such as HIV, Multiple Sclerosis and cancer.

What does ‘normal day-to-day activities’ mean? In general, day-today activities are things people do on a regular or daily basis, including getting washed and dressed, shopping, having a conversation, preparing and eating food, carrying out household tasks, walking and travelling. At work this can include interacting with colleagues, following instructions, using a computer, preparing written documents and keeping to a timetable or shift pattern.

There is a range of information available at Nationwide to help you: • The Workplace Adjustments intranet site • The Manager’s Mini-Guide to Disability and Reasonable Adjustments • The Welling Policy, including Disability Leave.

A ‘reasonable adjustment’ will depend on individual circumstances A ‘reasonable adjustment’ should help remove or reduce an obstacle to carrying out normal day-to-day activity. At work this could include making changes to allow part time work or taking extra breaks or lowering shelves or providing equipment.

What is considered ‘reasonable’?

Factors will include how effective it will be, if it’s practical – although something that is difficult to do doesn’t mean it isn’t reasonable – what disruption it might cause, the cost and considering the overall resources of the organisation.

Getting help In the first instance talk to your manager – they will consult with HR and consider what adjustments can be made.

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Driving: the honest truth NGSU on board with safer driving campaign

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fatal road traffic collision which tragically killed three young people in South Devon in 2009 prompted a partnership to explore ways in which such accidents could be avoided.

The unique partnership brought together statutory partners as well as Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs).

The aim was to sign up 25 ADIs across the South Devon area and provide them with resources to enable them to deliver a consistent message around a number of key safety themes.

An ADI resource pack was wellreceived and by the middle of 2011 the partnership had signed up over 300 ADI’s from across Devon and Cornwall and was receiving interest from other areas of the country.

The partnership decided that the initiative could be made even better and set about a total redesign. Over the next nine months it worked tirelessly to get the products right, using focus groups of ADIs and young people to test various ideas and concepts before settling on the striking animal hybrid images it now uses.

These images have been used to produce detailed resources for Approved Driving Instructors as well as a wide variety of other materials to promote safer driving attitudes and behaviours. There is also a website

If you have to drive for business purposes, you must complete the Drivers Risk Assessment and Drivers Checklist annually. These can be found in the H&S section of the intranet.

The H&S site also includes a wealth of other useful information, such as the road safety policy, which provides guidance on safer times to travel and frequency of taking breaks as well as the mobile phones policy.

www.thehonesttruth.co.uk containing lots of information for ADIs, partners, young drivers and parents and an active presence on Twitter and Facebook.

As a result of its success and the number of organisations who have adopted the campaign, it was decided to set up a charity to support the project’s work. The Honest Truth is now a recognised national charity working with a wide range of partners, including road safety partnerships, corporate business and the RAF. Using the strapline Small Changes Saves Lives, the charity hopes that through education of all road users they will be encouraged to make one small change and pass it on to others in vehicles they are driving or travelling in.

Get involved

The charity was invited to Nationwide House in Swindon last November. The day was spent engaging with staff and encouraging them to make a pledge towards road safety.

Well over 200 individual pledges were made by staff committed to being safer road users.

ADVERTORIAL

Joining NGSU helped Jo Joyce win a luxury holiday

Souking it up A

n assault at work turned to happiness for Jo Joyce after she joined NGSU and won the holiday of a lifetime.

Jo works in BAC and won the prize generously donated

by Benchmark Travel, who run the NGSU Travel Club.

She said: “I joined the NGSU for help and advice after an assault at work and through the Travel Club I won a fabulous holiday, a seven night cruise of the Unites Arab Emirates and a two night stay at the iconic five star Hotel Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai.

Roger of Benchmark phoned me to tell me the great news and a horrid incident turned into a dream holiday.

“What a fantastic time we had, from the moment we touched down at the ultra-modern Dubai airport, to the minute we left.

“Our cruise ship, the Costa Fortuna, was amazing with 14 decks to explore, lots to do on board, different restaurants and food and fabulous excursions.

“We saw the city of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, (world’s tallest tower), the Dubai Mall, the

seven star Burj Al Arab hotel and cruised on Dubai creek.

“We shopped amongst the hustle and bustle of the Textile souk, the fabulous Gold souk and smells of the spice and herb souks.

“In the Omani desert we raced up and down the Wahiba sand dunes in a 4x4 and had lunch by the cool green waters of the Wadi river pools.

“In Abu Dhabi we visited the wonderful white marble Grand Mosque and saw the F1 racetrack and Ferrari world.

“At the hotel Atlantis our large deluxe room on the 6th floor had magnificent views. The impressive resort had its own beaches, pools, Aqua Park and 65,000 fish in the lagoon. The sunsets were amazing.

Thank you so, so, much NGSU & the Travel Club.”

don’t FoRGet The Travel Club will try to beat most travel agent and internet prices. Call 0800 9531 263 or 01422 847847 to see how much you can save. Find out more about the Travel Club visit www.ngsutravelclub.co.uk and keep an eye on the members pages for more competitions.

18 83 MARCH 16

Top authors join the campaign to share the love of books

Get caught reading

One in six adults of working age in the UK find reading difficult and may never pick up a book. People’s reasons for not reading are varied: some say they find books intimidating, that they struggle to find the time or that books are difficult or boring.

Quick Reads sets out to challenge these beliefs and to show that books and reading can be for everyone. Each year it commissions big name authors to write short books specifically designed to be easy to read.

They are the same as mainstream books in most respects but are simply shorter and easier to tackle for adults who are less confident in their reading skills.

Quick Reads is making real, lasting changes to people’s lives.

Since 2006,4.5 million books have been distributed through the initiative, 3 million library loans have been registered and, through outreach work, hundreds of thousands of new readers each year have been introduced to the joys and benefits of reading.

Quick Reads are available from libraries and bookshops across the country.

World Book Night takes place on 23 April. Find out how you can get involved at worldbooknight.org

this year’s Galaxy® Quick Reads 2016 authors and titles are: • The Double Clue: Poirot Short Stories

by Agatha Christie • Too Good to be True by Ann Cleeves • A Baby at the Beach Café by Lucy Diamond • The Anniversary: Ten Tempting Stories From Ten Bestselling Authors by Veronica Henry) • On the Rock by Andy McNab • I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

CRiMinaLLY Good Reading for pleasure is a higher indicator of academic success than parental income or status, says top crime writer Anne Cleeves, the writer of one of this year’s Quick Reads. “Obviously it is something important for adults. Another function of literacy is the vital ability it gives to lose yourself in a story. It also gives you emotional intelligence - if you see the world through other people’s eyes it increases understanding of different cultures and societies,” says Ann.

coffee break...

ROOM EMMA DONAGHUE

Jack is five. He lives in a single, locked room with his Ma. Shortlisted for a variety of book awards and now an Oscar-winning film, this is a powerful story of a mother and child kept in isolation, and the desire for, and price of, freedom.

THE VERSIONS OF US LAURA BARNETT

What if one small decision could change the rest of your life? Eva and Jim are students at Cambridge, when their paths first cross. We follow three different versions of their future - together, and apart.

THE DEVIL IS A A BLACK DOG – STORIES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND BEYOND SANDOR JASZBERENYI

War-torn Africa, a Middle East in crisis, and postSoviet Eastern Europe form the backdrop to the stories told in The Devil Is a Black Dog - stories based on the extraordinary experiences of acclaimed photojournalist Sandor Jaszberenyi.

In spare, evocative prose, he combines fact and fiction to create a profoundly true portrait of the humanity behind the headlines.

Pets’ corner VICTORIA MCKAY – CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER (CSM) HOPE STREET, GLASGOW

I have four cats (I’ve been told I’m not allowed any more), all of which we got through the Cat Protection League.

Whiskers is our old lady who we’ve had for 16 years, Tabitha, who eats anything is 11 and likes to cosy up next to us on the sofa, and mother and daughter Bess and Skye are very timid. My 40th birthday cake says it all!

Tell us about you and your pet.

Email or write to the address opposite.

PRIZE WORDSEARCH

WIN

£25 voucher

One lucky winner will receive a £25 book or iBook token. Simply find the words which are all to do with Easter.

Completed entries should be sent to Middleton Cheney by 6 May 2016 with your name and membership number filled in below.

K R O E A S T E R C H I C K N X C

G C R U C I F I X I O N B H G O H

O D A F F O D I L S T L O H B U O

O D F R Y Q S P WW Q F R O Y B C B G L N T S O C I N S D K R S G OWO Z V RM T C L E T U N D E N L X O N J I B E T A M V L T C O L A

EASTER SUNDAY EASTER CHICK CHOCOLATE EGG EASTER BUNNY LENT CRUCIFIXION GOOD FRIDAY DAFFODILS

I A P Y H X Q S T T F F R M P V T

D R I I O K S R X J Y W B L M S E

A A S U C B N X G J X S U J Y I E

Y C D E V B WN U Q E C A S S P T R E I R N B G U T N I NM Y E G G

E P S F E A S T E R S U N D A Y L

Y Q I L B H G S I M N E L C A K E

TULIPS LAMBS BLOSSOM HOT CROSS BUNS SPRINGTIME PARADE BONNET SIMNEL CAKE

Name Membership number

Please return to: NGSU, Middleton Farmhouse, 37 Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX17 2QT

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I Your

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