Get Support

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS (Please Read Carefully)

The LSE UCU Branch regularly experiences challenges in meeting an extremely high casework demand, and we are currently operating without a Branch Secretary. So, we appreciate your patience and careful attention to the following guidelines.

➤ We do not offer casework support to non-members. The union is based on solidarity. You are not entitled to support via the Pro Forma below unless you have already been a UCU member of more than 3 months standing (unless you are also within your first 3 months of employment at LSE and joined in the first 30 days). Very exceptional circumstances may exist but only at the total discretion and availablity of our caseworkers and without access to the UCU legal scheme.

➤ Support, including initial advice and guidance, are not normally provided for a member whose workplace issue originated prior to joining UCU. You are still welcome to explain your case and the reason why you are requesting support, and casework managers try to be very flexible in determining whether the issue was pre-existing. However, we do try to help all members to find any information they may need, and we aim to support all members when resources permit.

➤ If you would like a caseworker to accompany you to a meeting that is imminent, please request that the meeting be postponed until your union is able to arrange for someone to accompany you. The School is normally accommodating of reasonable requests to delay confirmation or reschedule meetings. Please make your request to postpone your meeting as early as possible.

➤ Casework is currently being managed by our casework managers approximately two days per week. We aim to process requests for support within five working days, but often it takes longer. Once processed, it may take additional time to identify and confirm an available caseworker.

➤ We are not legal advisors. Caseworkers and Branch Officers are not legally qualified and cannot provide legal advice. Your caseworker can help you to identify and assert your rights at work. A caseworker may agree to refer your case to the regional office for consideration for the legal support scheme. The decision on whether to provide legal services through this scheme is not made at branch level.

➤ Be kind to officers and caseworkers: they are volunteers. We are not service providers, but rather a group of union members who care about each other and spend substantial personal time supporting other members. Your caseworker will support you and, in some cases, represent you, but they cannot do everything for you. Caseworkers are there to advise and listen. They can provide guidance and direct you to appropriate resources. They may represent you in certain cases, such as disciplinary or appeals hearing, but generally you must advocate for yourself. Your caseworker is there to help you feel empowered to do so and ensure you are treated fairly.

➤ Do not contact an individual branch officer with a casework request, but instead use the Pro Forma link below. Your unit rep can be a helpful ‘first port of call’ for advice on whether an issue warrants casework support if you are unsure.