EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE AGREEMENT
This agreement is made between ...... (“Employee Representative”) and Reaseheath College (“College”) in respect of the employee’s election to become an Employee Representative following nominations from all applicable employees within the College.
1.0Term of Office / Period of Election
1.1The Employee Representative will be elected into office for a maximum period of 3 years. After the initial three year period, the Employee Representative may stand for subsequent re-election.
1.2The maximum term in office will be six years. Therefore where an Employee Representative has been re-elected their period of election will come to an end after their second term of office and will not be entitled to stand for re-election.
1.3The period of election may come to an end sooner than that noted above by termination, by the Employee or the College, subject to the conditions under section 7.0 of this agreement.
2.0Requirement to Represent Employees
2.1The Employee Representative is required to consult with all employees that they represent, wherever possible, on the matters open to consultation.
2.2The Employee Representative is required to represent the collective views of the employees that they represent.
2.3The Employee Representative is required to suggest appropriate matters to discuss at the Staff PartnershipForum that may be of importance to those employees that they represent.
2.4For the purpose of this agreement, the Employee Representative has been elected to represent the College.
3.0Attendance at Meetings
3.1The Employee Representative is required to attend all Staff Partnership Forums. Employee Representatives will be provided with the appropriate facilities to hold a pre-meet prior to each Staff Partnership Forum, with the exception of the first meeting held.
3.2Where an Employee Representative has been elected onto a Working Group, they are required to attend all meetings of that Working Group.
3.3Employee Representatives may only refrain from attending meetings / training in exceptional circumstances and with advance authorisation from the Chair of the applicable meeting.
4.0Employee Representative Conduct
4.1When consulting with employees, the Employee Representative must remain objective and should listen to and capture the views of all Employees, even when the Employee Representative does not agree with those views.
4.2The Employee Representative should present the collective view of employees during appropriate consultation meetings, and should not substitute their own view or opinion.
4.3The Employee Representative should respect the diversity and opinions of others, and act professionally and with integrity at all times.
4.4The Employee Representative should engage in all consultations and, where applicable, negotiations with an open mind and thoroughly consider all of the information and facts of the situation before reaching a conclusion on an issue.
4.5The Employee Representative should fully engage themselves in all consultations and, where applicable, negotiations with the aim of reaching agreement with management representatives.
5.0Remuneration
5.1In recognition of the additional duties and responsibilities that the Employee will undertake whilst acting as an Employee Representative, they will be entitled to a recognition payment of £1,000 per annum, in addition to their normal salary, during their period of election.
5.2The recognition payment will be payable quarterly in arrears in equal instalments of £250, and will be inclusive of any expenses incurred in connection with undertaking the duties of an Employee Representative. The payment will be subject to tax and national insurance deductions as normal.
5.3The recognition payment will cease to be payable upon termination of this agreement or where the Employee Representative’s period of election comes to an end.
5.4The College may recover or refuse to pay any or all payments where the Employee Representative fails to attend any meetings or training events arranged in connection with the duties or responsibilities of an Employee Representative.
5.5The College may also recover or refuse to pay any or all payments where the Employee Representative fails to consult employees on those matters under consultation.
6.0Time off for Consultation and Representation
6.1The Employee Representative will be entitled to two days paid time off per month to consult with, and represent employees.
6.2For the avoidance of doubt, attendance at Staff Partnership Forums and any other meetings or training in connection with the Forumwill be included within the paid time off.
6.3The Employee Representative should agree the days on which they will be absent for the purpose of consultation and representation with their manager, who will keep a record of their absence.
6.4Time off is solely for the purpose of consultation and representation, and the Employee Representative should be engaged in such activities during their permitted time off. Abuse of paid time off will be subject to disciplinary action which may result in dismissal from their employment with the College.
7.0Termination of Agreement
7.1This agreement will be terminated in the following circumstances:
7.1.1Expiry of the Employee Representative’s term of office / period of election;
7.1.2The Employee Representative retires from office (in which circumstances the Employee Representative should serve at least three months notice, in writing, to the Chair of the Forum);
7.1.3The Employee Representative resigns or has their employment terminated with the College;
7.1.4Upon promotion of the Employee Representative to a management position within the College;
7.1.5The agreement is terminated by the College for another substantial reason, and the termination is deemed to be appropriate by the College (in which circumstances the termination may take effect immediately and without notice).
7.2Upon termination of this agreement, the Employee Representative will cease to remain in office and will have no entitlement to any rights or benefits conferred by this agreement.
8.0Acceptance of Agreement
I understand and accept my responsibilities in connection with my election to office as an Employee Representative.
I agree to the terms and conditions of this agreement and during my period of office I will ensure that I consult with employees and represent their views in accordance with, and in the spirit of this agreement.
Employee Representative’s Signature:
Date:
Signed on Behalf of the College:
Date: