Who can my wife use to help represent her?

Question

My wife is currently about to fight a change of condiitons at work (drop in pay by 8k, change of hours, loss of phone, car and laptop)
We have been advised that as she doesnt have a new contract to do this, but her old one from 5 years ago, we can fight the changes.
She has requested a meeting at head office with the personnel people, who can she take along as help??
She doesnt pay into a union as such, is there a union or body of people that will assist her?

My wife is currently about to fight a change of condiitons at work (drop in pay by 8k, change of hours, loss of phone, car and laptop)
We have been advised that as she doesnt have a new contract to do this, but her old one from 5 years ago, we can fight the changes.
She has requested a meeting at head office with the personnel people, who can she take along as help??
She doesnt pay into a union as such, is there a union or body of people that will assist her?

Edit - This is not just for a witness, but also someone who can offer sound, reliable advice.

Answer 1

You wife has raised a grievance with the company (assuming she has not yet resigned) and therefore you really need to get hold of the Company's grievance procedures.

At this stage, it is an internal issue and in most organisations you are only allowed a Trade Union Rep (if you are a member of a union - which you are not) or a fellow colleague.

Chose wisely, but all the representative is really allowed to do is ask questions on your behalf, and/or take notes. They cannot answer questions on your behalf. I'm talking here in terms of statutory requirements which is why I say you need to get old of the organisation's grievance procedure.

She needs to write down all her questions before she meets them, and make sure she writes answers. There is a good chance that the organisation will also have someone present to take notes - make sure you ask them for a copy at the end of the meeting, they will probably post them to you.

Once your wife has completed the grievance procedure and got answers to her questions, it is at this point that you get professional legal advice if you are still unsatisfied with the process/answers you were given.
Further legal advice may be for your wife to resign and claim constructive dismissal - BUT I am not advising her to do this as I do not have all the facts. Constructive Dismissal is where the employer has breached the employment relationship to an extent where it makes it impossible for your wife to continue working for them. For example, your wife could say that her employer has broken the mutual trust and confidence implied between the employer and the employee as they have unilaterally changed her terms and conditions to an extend whereby she cannot continue to work under them - (the pay and conditions).

So, in short, she needs to take a work colleague in the meeting with her merely for the purpose of taking notes for further action as necessary. Check the company grievance procedures before attending the meeting.

Wish her luck!

Answer 2

your Wife has to find an industrial personnel officer these are folk who act for big firms personnel who have working and salary problems with the company they work for and they are doing this all day and every day I have a grand daughter who has this position with a multi national supermarket but she's not for hire so see if you can get a contact with one of these people as a solicitor would be out of touch with the programmes as such within big companies Good Luck

Answer 3

you don't say what sector she works in but if there is a union then it maybe worth getting in touch with them.
unison are a big union but i don't know if they would cover her area of work, they are for public sector workers.
she could join up now and pay her dues and get them to help her out. it's worth a try and it sounds like she's got a good fight on her hands,

good luck to you both
xx

Answer 4

try ACAS (google them) or Citizens Advice.

Answer 5

she can take anyone as a witness