50 FAQs

Below is a list of the 50 most asked questions about work related matters. The answers are available in our members only area - when you click on a question, you will be prompted to login with your name and membership number, if you’re not already logged in. If you’re not already a member, why not join us?

Group 1: Health and Safety

  1. What Are The Weight Lifting Limits For Males And Females?
  2. What Are The Maximum And Minimum Temperatures For Working?
  3. What Rest Breaks Am I Entitled To?
  4. What Facilities And Time Off Is A Safety Representative Entitled To?
  5. Am I Entitled To Have An Eye Test For VDU Work?
  6. What Is The Law On Toilets And Washing Facilities?
  7. Can My Employer Charge Me For Personal Protective Equipment Such As Safety Shoes?
  8. I Think That There Is Asbestos In My Workplace.  What Should I Do?

Group 2: Contracts And Pay

  1. Am I Entitled To A Written Contract Of Employment?
  2. Can My Employer Change My Contract?
  3. How Long Can An Employer Keep Me On A Temporary Contract?
  4. Am I Entitled To A Pay Slip?
  5. Is My Employer Allowed To Make Deductions From My Pay?
  6. Is Everyone Entitled To Paid Holidays?
  7. Am I Entitled to Bank Holidays?
  8. What Are My Rights As A Part-time Employee?

Group 3: Maternity & Parental Rights (Paternity & Adoption Rights)

  1. Can I Take Maternity Leave?
  2. Can I Get Maternity Pay?
  3. Am I Protected From Dismissal Or Detriment During Maternity?
  4. Can I Return To My Job After Maternity Leave With All My Service Rights?
  5. Am I Entitled To Ante-Natal Care And/Or Health And Safety Protection?
  6. Can I Take Time Off To Look After A Dependant?
  7. What Rights Do I Have To Parental Leave?
  8. Can I Take Paid Adoption Leave?
  9. Can I Take Paid Paternity Leave?
  10. Can I Take Paid Paternity Leave If I Adopt A Child?
  11. Can I Request Flexible Working?

Group 4: Sick Pay

  1. Am I Entitled To Be Paid While Off Sick From Work?
  2. How Much Sick Pay Am I Entitled To?

Group 5: Discipline And Dismissal

  1. Can I Be Represented In A Disciplinary Hearing?
  2. Am I Entitled to Receive Warnings Before I Am Dismissed?
  3. Can I Be Sacked For Refusing To Carry Out An Instruction?
  4. How Much Notice Must Be Given To End My Employment?
  5. How Long Must I Work Before I Can Claim Unfair Dismissal?

Group 6: Redundancy

  1. How Do I Qualify For a Redundancy Payment?
  2. How much Notice Do I Get On Redundancy And Do I Have To Work It?
  3. Once I Am Redundant Am I Entitled To Benefits?
  4. Who Pays My Redundancy Pay If My Employer Becomes Insolvent?
  5. How Much Am I Entitled To When I Am Made Redundant?

Group 7: Union Rights

  1. Why Can’t We Just Stop Work Or Walk Out In Protest Like We Once Did?
  2. Can My Employer Stop Me Joining A Trade Union?
  3. Do Shop Stewards And Safety Representatives Get Time Off For Training?
  4. Can My Union Represent Me In A Grievance Or Disciplinary Hearing?

Group 8: GMB Contributions and Benefits

  1. What Benefits Am I Entitled To For My 5p Per Week Contribution?
  2. When Do I Become Entitled To The Financial Benefits Of The Union?
  3. Does this Region of GMB Offer Members a Sickness Benefit?
  4. Who Is Covered By The Accidents at Work Benefit fund?
  5. How Much Is Accident Benefit And How Long Do You Get It?
  6. If The Union Wins My Claim For Compensation Against My Employer, Will The Union Take A Percentage For Costs?
  7. Do I Have To Pay Full Contributions While The Union is Pursuing A Claim For Me Even If I Am Unemployed?