GLOSSARY OF TERMS

CONSULTATION
In employment, the process in which an employer listens to the views of trade unions/staff before coming to a decision.

CONTRACT
In employment, the agreement which exists between employer and employee covering what the employer expects, in terms of work and behaviour, from the employee and what the employee expects, in terms of pay and conditions, from the employer.

CONTRACT TERMS
The individual items of agreement contained within a contract.

CUSTOM AND PRACTICE
A term used to describe a state of affairs, which has continued for so long that everybody accepts it as normal. Services, which an employee gives at first on a voluntary basis, can become part of his/her contract of employment by custom and practice.

DELEGATE
A person sent by those he/she represents to a collective gathering: in trade unions, typically to a conference. Delegates have the right to exercise their own judgement after listening to the arguments. (See ‘Representative’.)

DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Action taken by an employer to investigate and adjudicate on the (bad) behaviour of an employee with a view to punishing.

ET
Employment Tribunal. A judicial body to which employees can take complaints of unfair treatment by employers.

FEDERATION
In NASUWT, a group of Local Associations within the area of a single local authority.

GMB
A TUC-affiliated trade union representing non-teaching employees in some schools.

GRIEVANCE
A belief by an individual (or group of individuals) that they have been unfairly treated (typically by an employer or manager).

GROSS MISCONDUCT
A term used in disciplinary procedures to describe conduct so seriously wrong as to warrant immediate dismissal.

INDEMNIFICATION
In NASUWT, a promise made to those holding elected positions that the Union will accept responsibility for any financial penalties imposed on an individual because of the performance of their duties as a union representative.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION
A term used to describe action by employees intended to disrupt the operation of an employer’s business. Usually used to exert pressure on an employer to agree to the demands of a trade union. There are strict legal rules governing trade union industrial action.

LOCAL ASSOCIATION
In NASUWT, a geographical grouping of members entitled to elect their own officers, receive Union funds and to send delegates to the Annual Conference of the Union.

MANDATE
An approval given to an individual (or group), by means of an election, to take a particular course of action.