NGSU Rapport Winter 2013 by The Design Mill

Rapport THE NATIONWIDE GROUP STAFF UNION MAGAZINE

WINTER 2013

ISSUE 76

HUNGRY AT CHRISTMAS

THE RISE OF FOOD BANKS

YOU TELL US NGSU CONFERENCE

DISABILITY IS NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS

nEWS&viEWS: P2 BEnEfiTS: P13 HERE TO HElP: P14

welcome… Welcome to the new look Rapport magazine. During the summer we’ve been taking soundings from members and reps and we hope you like the changes we’ve made as a result. We think you’ll like the new smaller version which makes it easier to read when you are on the move. We’ve now extended our Coffee Break section to reﬂect some of your interests, including the popular books and wordsearch but now with a gardening column, a pets’ corner as well as a recipe sent in by one of our reps or members. Stuffed with lots of other news, views and offers for you we hope you enjoy at this festive time.

Steve Barnes President

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

INSIDE 3 6

News & views From your union Our conference A rep’s point of view on their first conference

Tim’s blog General Secretary’s view from Middleton Cheyney farmhouse

Top Rep Steph Stephanie Mercer is the new Rep of the Year

What lies beneath Not all disabilities are obvious

Meet the new president Gill Grocott talks to us

Benefits Find out what benefits your union can give you

Here to help Q&As and top tips

Christmas fast Why too many in the UK will go hungry this Christmas Coffee break Dig it, I ♥ cooking, pet’s corner, book reviews, wordsearch

Rapport Editorial board Steve Barnes, President Gill Grocott, Chris Palfrey, 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 iT’S GOODBYE fROm STEvE

dUnFerMlIne

My two years as President has ﬂown by. During my term I’ve managed to meet a number of you at road shows, in the centres, presenting on induction courses, meetings and, most recently, at our National Conference. Conference was great and the successful motions will now provide direction for the Union over the next two years. The one part of the role that gives most pleasure is making someone’s day when you call them and inform them that they’ve won a prize in the monthly draw. I’ve really enjoyed my term and would like to express my thanks to all that have helped me along the way, especially all at NGSU. Finally I’d like to offer congratulations and best wishes to Gill Grocott, who succeeds me as President.

…and hello to Gill see page 12

TIM re-eleCTed Our General Secretary, Tim Poil, was re-elected to the TUC General Council at the Congress held in Brighton during September. Tim is one of seven members of the Council who represent smaller unions. The General Council meets every two months to oversee the TUC’s work programme and agree new policies. Tim has held a seat on the General Council since 2005.

Kath Moore is the woman behind our new gardening column on page 18. Kath is a Senior Systems Developer and works in the Cheshire in Macclesfield. “We have a one acre plot where we grow vegetables and have fruit trees and hens. I also run the eco gardening club at my children’s school, where we have created a sensory garden, wildlife areas and an allotment garden,” she says. Kath has a garden design qualification and is studying for an RHS Horticulture qualification.

nGSU is working closely with nationwide over the integration of Dunfermline branches into the nationwide branch network. Plans include merging Dunfermline and nationwide branches into one office and closing four Dunfermline branches with integration of two more Dunfermline branches into a single office in the Summer of 2014. We have been working closely with the Society to find ways to minimise the impact on jobs. in the new year employees will be given an opportunity to express their preferences based on options appropriate to their location and we are hopeful that compulsory redundancies will be kept to an absolute minimum. Redeployment and outplacement support will be available to all affected employees. nGSU individual Cases officers (iCOs) have visited branches where closure is proposed to support members. if you are concerned speak to an iCO on 01295 710767. members in Cheshire and Derbyshire branches will be keen to find out how the integration will impact on them. And employees in the iT and Business Change functions of all three Regional Brands are also affected and talks are on going on the likely impacts. Karen Hughes, nGSU Regional Brands Officer, is available to support members. Karen can be contacted on 01295 710767.

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CUT IT OUT! Big High Street names are refusing to sign up to the Bangladesh Accord - a unionbacked agreement designed to improve workplace safety in the country. The TUC is backing the campaign following the Rana Plaza factory collapse, which killed over 1,000 textile workers earlier this year. Over 80 brands have already signed the Accord but there are still a few major players with factories in Bangladesh that are refusing to sign. You can help send a message to these companies, telling them there are no excuses left for ignoring safety standards and workers rights in Bangladesh.

Big screen deal You can buy up to five pairs of tickets every month at knockdown rates for most of the national chains and independent cinemas. We’re extending our discount cinema ticket scheme for a third year as part of NGSU Extras package. Details of how to register and buy tickets are on our website.

Find out how at http://action. goingtowork.org. uk/page/speakout/ tell-high-streetbrands-to-backbangladesh-safetyplan

WHERE Union members live in fear

…for more info go to justiceforcolumbia .org

JESS HURD

Show your support for Colombian trade unionist Huber Ballesteros, who was arrested when he tried to come to the UK to speak to the TUC this year. Huber is Vice-President of the agricultural workers’ union, whose members, like union members across the country face horrific levels of attacks, assassinations and unlawful imprisonment. Little wonder then that Columbia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. NGSU is affiliated to Justice for Columbia, which campaigns for human rights, workers’ rights and the search for peace with social justice in the country. You can sign a petition calling for the release of Huber at www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_ campaign.cgi?c=2020&src=ngsu

news&views NGSU helps Charlotte move up a gear

Zero hours rise

Know someone who would like to ride one of the tandems? Then why not put them in touch with Charlotte’s Tandems?

A grant from your Union to the charity Charlotte’s Tandems is helping it increase its work across the UK. The charity lends tandems and tagalongs to people with special needs or disabilities, so that they can enjoy the wonders of cycling. Now a grant from the Union has been used to buy five mountain bike style tandems as well as other equipment for the charity. For more wonderful stories and photos, visit www.CharlottesTandems.co.uk

A campaign for a public investigation of zero hour contracts is being demanded. Zero contracts call for a worker to be available for work on an ‘as and when required’ basis. This can lead to money fears and fewer employment rights. While Nationwide has no staff on zero hours contracts, a review shows the practice is widespread. The Government is expected to consult more widely on the practice and if it is fair for an employer to demand exclusivity from a worker even if they have no work to offer. But campaign group 38degrees says a full public consultation is needed. Add your voice at https://secure.38degrees.org. uk/page/s/properly-investigate-zerohours-contracts#petition

OUCH!

WIN WIN WAGE

Big savings – £3.2bn – could be made if the UK’s 4.8 million low-paid workers were paid the living wage, according to research published by the TUC. The Treasury would receive an extra £2.1bn from the increased tax and national insurance contributions (NIC) resulting from a UK-wide living wage boost, says the organisation. And if low earners across the UK were to see their wages rise to living wage rates – currently £8.55 an hour in London and £7.45 elsewhere in the UK – the research says the Treasury would pay out £1.1bn less in means-tested benefits and tax credits.

New digital safes have led to a rise in the numbers complaining of trapped fingers. As a result warning stickers are being sent to branches to put on doors of the new safes. The rise was identified by the Health & Safety Committee as part its regular review of accident reports – which goes to show it’s important to report incidents even if they seem insignificant at the time.

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ALL PHOTOS: STEPHANIE KING - REP FROM DIRECT SERVICE IN NAC

Hands up for NGSU

From pay to bullying – your union’s conference was the place to decide policy on all areas of work

ay and benefits, overtime arrangements in branches, the integration of Regional Brands, long working hours, bullying and outsourcing. These were among the concerns raised at the NGSU National Conference held in Daventry in October. Tim Poil, General Secretary, spoke about the Union’s strategy for the next five years, focussing on how it will maintain its independent status and put local Union Reps at the forefront, delivering the mission to protect members interests. Delegates attending the event debated a range of issues affecting members at Nationwide. There were 89 motions discussed over three days, ranging from bullying to outsourcing. Over half the motions were passed by two-thirds of the delegates and are now Union Policy with The National Executive Committee (NEC) charged with taking these issues forward with Nationwide.

Find out everything that was agreed at the Union’s website

Some of the motions will be taken up directly with HR via the Joint Consultation & Negotiation Committee (JCNC) or feature as part of pay and allowances review. Motions which impact on specific areas of the business will be raised via the EIC Business Committees. For example, concerns about the Customer Service Tracker will be taken forward by Branch Reps at Regional Council and EIC meetings in November.

NATIONWIDE GUESTS Delegates had the chance to question a panel of guests from nationwide, including Group Director, Alison Robb and Divisional Directors, larry Banda, Greg Heaton and Terry Kaye. They raised concerns about resourcing in the branch network and the measurement of the Customer Service Tracker across Group Distribution. The lively debate continued over dinner.

Charlotte Luther speaks at conference

WARM WELCOME FOR MARIE RICHARDSON marie Richardson had no idea what to expect from the Union’s conference when she went along as a first time delegate. marie, who was representing the Cheshire & Derbyshire Regional Council, said: “i was looking forward to attending but as it was my first one i was unsure what to expect. Well i can honestly say it was an amazing experience! it was very well organised and had a really welcoming, friendly atmosphere. “Everyone had a chance to talk and voice their opinions. i have come away feeling uplifted and inspired in my role as a Rep.” nAC Rep Chrissie Barton added: “it was fascinating to discover how we can inﬂuence decisions. nBS is a responsible employer but would it really seek to make changes unless invited to negotiate?” like marie and Chrissie, delegates left enthused with a clear understanding of the issues facing union members and how local Reps can help shape and enhance the working environment. Tim Poil, General Secretary, speaks at conference

DELEGATES ATTENDED CONFERENCE

l egiona NAC R il Counc

MOTIONS WERE SUBMITTED

PASSED WITH TWO THIRDS MAJORITY

NOMINEES FOR REP OF THE YEAR

Above left: Wilson McVeigh and (right) Sharon Greenhalgh speak at conference. Below: voting at conference

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on Farmhouse Tim’s Blog The view from Middlet commented that their Rep, “Asks the questions that the rest of us are afraid to ask.”

It was a real delight to meet so many of our Representatives at our recent National Conference. Our Reps who come from all parts of the business and the UK, all share the same passion for the Union and its aim to make Nationwide a good place to work. One of the highlights of our Conference is our ‘Rep of the Year’ award. This is a member-nominated process that recognises the great work our Reps do on behalf of their local members. I was inspired by some of the comments that members made in support of their nominees. One member told us that she hadn’t needed to contact the Union for support in 15 years of membership but when she did her local Rep was there for her and gave her the help she needed. Another member

Scotland to ensure that the business is doing all that can be done to mitigate the impact on jobs.

It was tough choosing a winner from a number of very worthy candidates but ultimately our judging panel was unanimous that the accolade should go to Stephanie Mercer. (You can read more about Steph in ‘Meet the Reps’ feature opposite).

At Conference, I talked to our Reps about the challenges ahead and how we plan to go forward to ensure that we remain an independent staff union. We need to retain and grow our membership and so keep our strong voice on behalf of members; we must continue to deliver a professional I found the comments about representation service to our Reps very encouraging members; we need to get because we need to better at communicating what place them at the heart we do; provide additional of everything we do. This membership benefits; build means Reps becoming more external relationships that involved in local consultation help us and recognise our ent via the Employee Involvem wider responsibilities to the Business Committees and community. We need our being the first port of call Reps at the heart of all we for advice and support do for our members. to members. This makes sense because, being on the I know our Reps are up for ‘frontline’, means they know these challenges and if you what the issues are that need are too then please contact to fixing and are available us to find out more about help members when they getting involved. need it. This approach is going to be crucial as the integration of the Regional Brands unfolds. Now that the plans for the Dunfermline branches have been announced we will be engaging with our Reps in

You can follow Tim on twitter @TimPoil

Chris Berry says...

Top Rep Steph Stephanie Mercer is the NGSU’s new Rep of the Year

teph, who has worked for Nationwide for 26 years, was one of nine nominated for the award, which recognises the work of Union Reps in supporting members. A large number of her members put her forward for the award for the fantastic work she does for them. “Their comments about Steph were everything we could ask from a Rep; actively supporting her local members; seeking views and cascading information from Regional Councils and EICs and working with her Area Team to resolve issues. Steph is a worthy winner and a great advocate for NGSU,” said GS Tim Poil announcing the award at national conference in October.

Helen Hill says... “Steph has been a bundle of support over the last 12 months. Any questions I have had, she has always helped me and nothing is too much trouble. She is a credit to our area.”

“Steph is fantastic; she represents the views of her colleagues with passion and realism. She works well with me and shares the outcomes of our meetings with the area.”

Steph has two children and says most of her ‘free’ time is spent taxiing them to Brownies/ gymnastics or football. “And most weekends I can be found on the sidelines supporting my son at his league games.”

Steph has worked in various locations and roles and been BM at West Bromwich branch for the last 13 years as well as having a number of secondments covering various roles. “It was a real surprise, totally unexpected,” she commented. “I have been a member of the union since joining Nationwide back in 1987, and during the last four years have been a district Rep for the area. “In the last two years the role of Rep has changed and I work closely with the Area Director and members of the senior team to ensure member’s views are represented fairly and working together looking at solutions to support all parties. The introduction of EIC meetings held at a regional level has been a positive step as the regional team really value the honesty when issues are raised from our members and give their commitment to look at these wherever possible.”

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What lies beneath

Not all disabilities are obvious GARY’S STORY “My name is Gary and I work in BAC. Approximately eight years ago I woke up with a headache. At the time I thought nothing of it and took a couple of paracetamol with the belief that it would go away. It didn’t. As I’m writing this article that headache is still with me, and has been for those eight years, or to put it another way, 2,920 days, 24hrs per day. The headache developed into my first ever migraine, and I can remember quite vividly the different sensations a migraine brings; watering eye, pain behind the eye, headache pain; there were other sensations that aren’t popularly known about like confusion, speech and mobility problems. Experiencing all of these sensations and feelings for the first time is unnerving, and you immediately think the worst. I made an appointment to see an optician. They couldn’t find anything wrong and referred me to the eye hospital. Similarly they were also unable to find anything amiss and I was told to speak to my GP, who mentioned to me that what I

Get in touch with Gary at gary@ smart-stead.com

‘I ﬁrst contacted the union back in 2011 and their help has been invaluable’ experienced was likely to be a migraine. I suffer from migraine approximately 15 days per month, and they can last from one hour to several days. Over the years I’ve tried many different medications, and other treatments (acupuncture, mindfulness, meditation, to name a few). Painkillers, whilst dulling the pain, are not a cure, and can often leave worse side effects.

WHAT IS YOUR UNION DOING ABOUT IT? As well as negotiating the provision of disability leave, which provides additional paid leave for staff, the union has raised the issue of disability awareness with the Divisional Directors of the Branch network, who have agreed to build this into their ‘people plan’. The Regional Employee involvement Committees (EiCs) are asking nGSU Reps to research and feed back on issues in their areas - with a particular focus on reasonable adjustments.

MOST COMMON HIDDEN DISABILITIES Arthritis Autism Brain injury Cognitive impairment Diabetes Emphysema Epilepsy fibromyalgia mental illness multiple Sclerosis About four months ago I had my first Botox treatment, which involved injecting the serum into 31 different points across my head and shoulders. Painful? Yes! Worth it? The jury is out. It has taken me a while to come to terms with my disability; there is still lot of work that needs to be done to educate people on the effects of hidden disabilities like migraine, which often mean that your social, work, love and family life are harmed. I now avoid social situations for the fear of an attack. I first contacted the union back in 2011 and their help has been invaluable, particularly when representing me in meetings with HR and my line management and by also suggesting different ways of handling

‘There is still lot of work that needs to be done to educate people on the effects of hidden disabilities’

Please visit the Migraine Trust for more information www.migraine trust.org

It is estimated that 70% of people with a disability in the UK have a type that is hidden while 10% of people have a medical condition which could be considered a type of hidden disability

communications with my manager. Ultimately just by being in the various meetings I’ve had gave me the confidence to speak up and get heard. For those who find themselves in a similar situation please don’t suffer in silence. Speak to the union and they will help you engage with Nationwide in finding a solution that will make your working life easier, whether through reasonable adjustments (new chair, footrest etc) or by introducing a flexible working approach. And next time somebody tells you they have a migraine please don’t think that it’s ‘just a headache’ and that by taking a couple of pills it will go away; it’s so much more than that. Show interest by asking them where the pain is, and by reassuring them that it will pass, eventually. If you suffer from chronic pain, or another form of hidden disability feel free to contact me; you are not alone.”

more help…

Talk to your rep for more information about getting support with any disability at work. Visit the TUC Worksmart site for information on your rights www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/ disability_discrimination www.gov.uk/equalityact-2010-guidance

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President Gill Gill Grocott is keen to get started in her new role

here’s nothing NGSU President Gill Grocott likes more than a challenge - and she’s ready to roll up her sleeves to promote the union and recruit new members during her term. “I’m looking forward to the next two years; there is plenty to do and I’m sure it will be very interesting and challenging as well as very rewarding,” says Gill, who has worked at the Cheshire Building Society and Nationwide since 1991. Gill became a rep for the Cheshire Building Society Staff Association in 2004 and shortly after joined its committee and became Vice-Chair. As a Disciplinary Officer she attended hearings/investigations supporting members as well as JCNC meetings and meetings with executives of the Cheshire to resolve issues from the business and members on items such as pay, policy changes, and sales targets. Following the merger of the Regional Brands Societies with Nationwide, the Cheshire and Derbyshire Unions joined forces to become OURS (One Union for Regional Brands). As ViceChair Gill played a part in discussions with Nationwide HR on topics such as health and safety, pay, ERIC Bonus and policy changes. “I was also involved in the Change Programme and helped and supported many of my colleagues through their consultations. I was at all the meetings to discuss the merging of the Regional Brands/Nationwide T & C’s.” When OURS merged with the NGSU Gill became a NGSU Disciplinary

Gill is married with two grown up sons, five grandchildren, four dogs and a parrott called Rosie. “She talks in my voice (and laughs) and also talks in my husband’s voice. She is continually shouting commands to my dogs (even the ones that have died)!”

‘‘We are a strong well organised Union, who help and support many members’ Officer and was elected to the union’s National Executive Committee. “We are a strong well organised Union, who help and support many members and will continue to do so,” she says. “I will work hard to achieve the eight key goals and objectives of the NGSU Strategic Plan, which will enable the Union to remain strong in our own right, but seek to build a ‘partnership’ relationship with NBS.” Gill also wants to work closely with District Reps and she wants to recruit new members and says we can expect to see her at Roadshow events and induction courses encouraging employees to join the Union. “This will help us to remain an effective voice within the Nationwide,” she adds.

benefits Susan wins

£10,997

Susan Misslebrook, from Bognor Regis Branch, is our October draw first prize winner, scooping almost £11,000. “It couldn’t come at a better time; I can help my family and my bank balance and buy a few extra Xmas presents which was going to be a bit sparce this year!” she says. “One son is getting married and it’s been lovely to be able to help towards the wedding fund – the youngest has his eyes on a car when he passes his driving test so everyone is happy. “I’d encourage anyone to pay into the prize draw. You don’t miss the payments as it comes from your salary. And you never know, you could get a call just like I did!”

In the first 10 months of this year NGSU has paid out a staggering £193,608 in prize money from the Union’s Monthly Subscription draw to winners like Susan. The money paid out each month depends on the size of the ‘pot’ – the total number of chances brought in that month. There are currently just over 26,000 chances in the draw and that’s generating a first prize of between £10,500 and £11,000. Most of the ‘pot’ is returned to members in prize money with the remainder used to boost the subscription income that funds the Union. For more details of winners go to our website www.ngsu.org.uk

Our NGSU Extras benefits website is run with ACE Insurance and Salary Exchange. The site offers members a range of discounts for some of the biggest names on the high street and the option to buy products from the ACE Helping Hand range of insurance products.

FIRST PRIZE DRAW RESULTS

Wednesday 2 October 2013 Prize Chance Sum Winner Branch/Department 1st 095995 £10,997 Susan Misselbrook Bognor Regis (High St) Wednesday 4 September 2013 Prize Chance Sum Winner Branch/Department 1st 094673 £10,984 Pamela Mapstone Development Centres Wednesday 7 August 2013 Prize Chance Sum Winner Branch/Department 1st 101823 £10,940 Sara McCrudden Dundee Wednesday 3 July 2013 Prize Chance Sum Winner Branch/Department 1st 094202 £10,947 Andrea Williams Associate Members Wednesday 5 June 2013 Prize Chance Sum Winner Branch/Department 1st 075415 £10,907 Kevin Smith Pension Fund Members TO ENTER THE DRAW OR INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING, PLEASE CALL 01295 710767 For details of all winners see our website.

WINTER WHEELS Membership of the NGSU entitles you and your family to discounted finance on brand new cars with Affinity Leasing. You can have any brand new car and pay for it monthly, with the option of full ownership at the end of the period. For instance a Vauxhall Corsa 3 door 1.2 Limited Edition is just £99 per month, compared to £229 per month on a non-discounted rate. To find out more, or to obtain quotes to suit your needs, call 01299 266610, text 2Lease to 88802 for a call back, email sales@ affinityvehicleleasing.com or visit www.affinityvehicleleasing.com. Log in with the user name union and the password benefit.

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QA &

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

How much annual leave do I need to book to take holiday on Christmas Eve? As most branches and departments are closing early, we’ve agreed with HR that you only need to book a halfday of annual leave (pro-rata if you’re part time i.e. if you normally work 6 hours you only need to book 3 hours holiday leave). This only applies if you’d normally work on the day that Christmas Eve falls (Tuesday this year). If you work in the Branch Network and you’re taking TOIL instead of working on Christmas Eve, then you only need to ‘spend’ the same amount of TOIL as you would have taken in holiday. For example, a full-time employee would ‘spend’ 3.5 hours of TOIL, and a part-time employee who normally works a 4 hour day only needs to ‘spend’ 2 hours of TOIL’. On New Year’s Eve most areas will be finishing work at 3pm. However, for the purposes of booking holiday this is considered to be a full day. Do I have to make up time if I’m unable to get into work because of bad weather? You’re required to make every

reasonable effort to get into work even in difficult weather conditions. This might mean using public transport; walking if you live reasonably close to work and it’s safe to do so; agreeing to work at home or from a different Nationwide location. However, if you really can’t get in safely then you do not have to make up time. More details about what to do in bad weather can be found in the Time Off For Other Reasons Policy.

Just a quick reminder – if your Facebook and Twitter profiles identify you as working for Nationwide, please be careful what you say about work online. If you say anything that could be construed to damage the Society’s image you could fall foul of the Conduct Policy.

I’m thinking about doing some part-time bar work in the evening – do I have to tell my manager? You should seek approval from your manager before taking a second job. They’ll want to check that there is no conflict of interest with your work at Nationwide – eg you shouldn’t take a job with a direct competitor. They will also want to check that your other job isn’t having a negative impact on your work at Nationwide, for example, that you’re too tired to be fully effective. Can I ask to see any records that my Manager or HR holds about me? Yes! The Data Protection Act provides protection for personal information that is held on computers or manual records and this applies to records held about you at work. You can ask to see information held about you by e-mailing Specialist HR Handing.

here to help... DEVELOP SOME DIFFERENT OPTIONS

Members often contact us for advice about applying for ﬂexible working arrangements. Here are a few tips: USE THE FLEXIBLE WORKING REQUEST FORM This will help you structure your case and make sure you’ve covered the necessary points. It will also ensure that your manager follows the correct timescales.

THINK ABOUT THE BUSINESS IMPACT Try and put yourself in your manager’s shoes and think about all the reasons why they wouldn’t agree to your request. What is the impact on resourcing; how does it fit with other team members working patterns; how will your team cope during holiday periods etc? Once you’ve worked out what the objections might be, think how you can work round them and build this and any benefits into your case.

‘Try and put yourself in your manager’s shoes and think about all the reasons why they wouldn’t agree to your request’

Email us your questions at ngsu@ngsu.co.uk

Your manager may not be able to agree to all aspects of your request so be prepared to be flexible. If your manager has concerns suggest a trial period so you can both assess how things work in practice.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PLANS Chat through your plans with colleagues to make sure they support you. Your local Union Rep can help you check your request before you submit it or call the Union office for advice.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO APPEAL If you think your request hasn’t had proper consideration you can appeal the decision. A Union Cases Officer will be able to represent you during the appeal meeting. The Flexible Working Policy applies to all Nationwide employees but if you have children under the age of 16 (18 if disabled) or you’re the carer of an adult, you have a statutory right to make a request. The Union will ensure that all of your statutory rights have been applied.

more help… You can find the Flexible Working Policy and Request Form in Family Friendly section of the HR Policy Point on the Intranet or Union website.

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ALL PHOTOS: The Trussell Trust

It should be a time for feasting but for too many in the UK the festive season will mean going hungry

Christmas fast

‘Thousands of people still can’t afford to put food on the table’

ver 350,000 people received emergency food from food banks between April and September this year, triple the numbers helped in the same period last year. The Trussell Trust, which operates a series of food banks, says that UK hunger is getting worse and wants an inquiry into the causes of UK food poverty and the surge in food bank use. Evidence from the trust’s food banks shows that rising living costs and stagnant wages are forcing more

‘We had to borrow a tin of soup from next door to stop our 18-month-old daughter from going to bed hungry.’ Food bank user

Look out for food banks which can also hold local collections throughout the year in Tesco stores.

people to live on a financial knife edge where any change in circumstance can plunge them into poverty. Even marginal shifts in prices when people don’t have elasticity in their personal finances can have a major impact. Food prices have risen by 12.6% above inflation over the past six years and rising energy prices this winter are likely to see more people forced to choose between eating and heating, says the trust. And it reports that people at food banks have started giving back food items that need cooking because they can’t afford to turn on the electricity. Many people on low-incomes are also being impacted by the

FACT British Red Cross says that it will provide volunteers for the first time to support Tesco’s next nationwide food collection for Trussell Trust food banks and fareShare this December because it is so concerned by levels of UK hunger.

implementation of April’s welfare reforms. The trust’s food banks are reporting increased referrals as a result of the spare room subsidy, sanctioning and confusion caused by the devolution of the Social Fund. Meanwhile the FareShare charity, which redistributes foods to charities, is facing record levels of demand, saying it is helping to feed 51,000 vulnerable people each day - a 15% increase in just six months. Commenting on the hikes TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “One only has to look at the huge rise in food banks to see how little support is being given to people who fall on hard times”.

more help… See the Trusell Trust and FareShare websites for details of what else you can do to help, including starting your own food bank www.trusselltrust.org/ start-a-foodbank

Volunteer at your local foodbank – www.fareshare. org.uk/contact-us/ fareshare-depots/ and www.trusselltrust. org/map

“These new figures show that despite trying desperately hard to make ends meet hundreds of thousands of people still can’t afford to put food on the table for their families.”

WHO THEY ARE Trussell Trust food banks provide three days of emergency food to individuals and families in crisis. frontline care professionals, including doctors and social workers, refer people who are facing hunger to the food bank. www.trusselltrust.org fareShare is a charity fighting hunger by redistributing surplus food to hundreds of local charities ranging from homeless shelters to children’s breakfast clubs. By donating in store you help it get hold of cupboard essentials to complement the fresh produce it receives from the food industry. www.fareshare.org.uk

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DIG IT…

with Kath

The beauty of the autumn and early winter months is that they give you the chance to put right any previous planting errors or the opportunity to move or divide plants that have grown too big for their current home. Dividing plants is a great way to fill borders elsewhere and any extra, unwanted plants could be given to others or swapped for a new plant. it does pay not to be too tidy though when you are sorting things out, as the birds will appreciate it if you leave some seed heads for them to feed on. The vegetable garden can seem a bit depressing at this time of year as the supply of vegetables comes to an end, but there are many jobs to do. Clear away and compost foliage from spent beans and peas (but keep the roots in the ground as they act as a nitrogen fixer), pick green tomatoes and bring them into the house to ripen and pull out the tomato vines and add them to the

I ♥ cooking

CORNED BEEF HASH

by Jess Harrison, Software Engineer, Cheshire House

Serves 2-3 • 1 tin corned beef • 3 tbspns Worcestershire sauce • 2 tspns grain mustard • 1 large onion • 500g potatoes • Oil, salt and pepper • Wash potatoes & chop into ½ inch cubes. Boil for five minutes – add salt & pepper to the water. Drain and cover with a clean cloth.

compost heap. for early crops next year plant autumn onions and spring cabbages whilst the soil is still warm. Clear out the vegetable beds and add manure to give the soil a lift or sow green manure seeds such as field mustard or grazing rye. These will grow during autumn and winter, helping to suppress weeds and stop nutrients being washed out of the soil; then dig them into the soil next spring. Another job to do now is to plant bulbs; daffodil, iris, tulip, crocus or whatever takes your fancy. i always forget where i have planted them only to be reminded when their shoots pop up the following spring. i hope that gives you a few tips – now get out there and get stuck into some hard work in the garden. Have fun!

Kath

• Chop the corned beef quite small and add the mustard & Worcestershire sauce – mix well. • Chop the onion into thin slices. Fry in hot oil until nice & brown. Remove from pan. • Fry the potatoes in the onion fat until brown – add more oil in needed. • When browned (keep turning over & break up a little bit) add the onions back to the pan & add the corned beef mixture. • Keep turning over until browned & cooked – add more salt & pepper if needed. Email us your favourite recipe at ngsu@ngsu.org.uk or send to middleton farmhouse, 37 main Road, middleton Cheney, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX17 2QT

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I met Bow at the RSPCA, all alone in a pen, looking so sad and unwanted. I just couldn’t leave her. At first she was scared of anything and everything – it was heartbreaking. Now 18 months later and she has come on in leaps and bounds! She met me when my life couldn’t get any lower. Together we are re-building our lives with each other’s love. She comes to work with me when I go out on customer visits. We are joined at the hip! I owe my life to her – and I thought I was doing the rescuing! Tell us about you and your pet. Email or write to the address opposite.

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