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What is the role of an employee representative in collective consultation?

Author

Chloe Ramirez

Updated on March 13, 2026

What is the role of an employee representative in collective consultation?

They are required to represent the interests of all the affected employees, not just their own interests, and should take reasonable steps to ensure that the views of the affected employees are taken into account by the employer as part of the consultation process.

Furthermore, what does an employee representative do in redundancy?

An employee representative role in redundancy is to consult on behalf of affected employees to try and reach an outcome that works for all parties. One of the first steps in the consultation process will be to make an announcement to the staff of your proposals.

Furthermore, what are the functions of a staff representative? Duties of the staff representatives

Staff representatives represent the staff to the employer and make the employer aware of any individual or collective grievance concerning the application of the employment regulations (law, collective agreement, salaries, working hours, health and safety, benefits etc.)

Additionally, what is collective consultation?

Collective Consultation is a process under which employers have to consult staff representatives as opposed to consulting with them individually. However, staff may need to be consulted individually as well, depending on the circumstances. Consultation is important in a wide variety of employment situations.

What is the point of collective consultation?

Collective consultation is consultation of an employer with employee representatives or union representatives about proposed dismissals. In particular, the consultation must cover ways of: Avoiding the dismissals. Reducing the numbers of employees to be dismissed and.

What does consultation with employees involve?

Consultation involves you not only giving information to your employees but also listening to them and taking account of what they say before making any health and safety decisions. The law does not state when you must consult, or for how long, but does say it must be 'in good time'.

What makes a good employee representative?

Essential skills of a staff representative. Active listening and effective questioning skills. (Self) presentation skills. The representative's role (disciplinary and grievance meetings)

What are the collective consultation rules?

You must follow 'collective consultation' rules if you're making 20 or more employees redundant within any 90-day period at a single establishment. There are no set rules to follow if there are fewer than 20 redundancies planned, but it's good practice to fully consult employees and their representatives.

Who can represent me in a redundancy consultation?

If your employer is making 20 or more employees redundant at the same time, the consultation should take place between your employer and a representative (rep). This will either be: an elected employee rep (if you're not represented by a trade union, or if your employer does not recognise your trade union)

Are employee reps paid?

The right to reasonable paid time off to carry out their duties. The law does not specify the amount of time off that it is reasonable to allow since this will vary according to the circumstances. You should pay the representative at the appropriate hourly rate for the period of absence from work.

What if an employee refuses to attend a consultation meeting?

It is possible that an employee who has refused to attend a face to face consultation meeting because of health and safety concerns and later been dismissed or subject to a change of terms could attempt to bring such a claim. Employees might also bring whistleblowing claims based on the same circumstances.

How do I start a collective consultation?

  1. Step 1: Determine when the obligation to collectively consult arises.
  2. Step 2: Ensure that appropriate employee representatives are in place.
  3. Step 3: Notify the Secretary of State.
  4. Step 4: Provide information to the appropriate representatives.
  5. Step 5: Consult with the appropriate representatives.

What should I ask at a collective consultation?

Ask why; why now; what are they hoping the redundancy or redundancies will achieve; what will happen to your duties and responsibilities; what alternatives have they considered (for example, furlough etc)?

What are the 4 main forms of the consultative process?

There are four consultation options: full public, targeted, confidential and post-decision.

What is the difference between collective and individual consultation?

Although individual consultation is always required regardless of the number of employees being made redundant, collective redundancies demand a specific consultation process to be carried out over and above that of individual redundancies.

What is consultation process?

Consultation is the process by which management and employees and their representatives examine and discuss issues that are of mutual concern.

Can you be made redundant while on furlough?

You can still be made redundant while you're furloughed. You employer will take you off the furlough scheme when you start your notice period. They'll still have to pay you any money you're owed and follow the right process. They can't discriminate against you - check if your redundancy is fair if you're not sure.

How can collective consultation be avoided?

A possible way of avoiding the collective consultation obligations is to make staff redundant in groups of less than 20 employees within each 90 day period. However, a tribunal would not look favourably if it was evident that your intention was to deliberately avoid collective consultation.

Can consultation and notice run concurrently?

This means that, once you have completed a full process of genuine consultation with your employee representatives, you can give notice to the individuals selected before the 30 days is up. Therefore, so long as it does not expire before the end of the 30-day protected period, notice can run concurrently.

What is meaningful consultation?

A meaningful redundancy consultation process means more than simply informing your employee(s) of a decision already made. You need a two-way dialogue with the objective of finding ways of avoiding the dismissal if at all possible; for example, job sharing, sabbaticals and a reduction in hours.

How representative bodies can support employees?

Their representatives can help employees in health and safety, pensions, information and consultation representation, European consultative bodies, Transfer of undertakings, Workforce Agreement, Collective redundancy, Union learning and Collective bargaining.

What is the meaning of staff representative?

Related Definitions

Staff representative means an agent of the Institute, other than an employee, having the authority to represent employees in the bargaining unit in matters related to their employment.

What are employees responsibilities for equality and diversity?

Employees have a duty not to discriminate against any of their colleagues because of any of the protected characteristics. Diversity and equal opportunities policies place a positive duty on all employees to comply with the policy and to ensure that colleagues are treated with respect and dignity.

What happens during redundancy consultation?

Workplace consultation involves your employer talking to you or your representatives about their plans and listening to your ideas. If your employer is thinking about making redundancies, they should consult with any employees that could be affected by their decision.

What are the stages of redundancy?

Basically, there are five main stages to consider during the redundancy process:
  • Stage 1: Preparation.
  • Stage 2: Selection.
  • Stage 3: Individual Consultation.
  • Stage 4: Notice of Redundancy and Appeals.
  • Stage 5: The Termination Process.

What happens at a second consultation meeting?

At the second consultation meeting, the employer should discuss the employee's marked selection criteria with them and ask the employee if they have considered any alternatives to redundancy. If the employee does suggest an alternative, the employer should consider this.

What should you do in case of unfair dismissal?

If you feel you have been unfairly dismissed by your employer, you should try appealing under your employer's dismissal or disciplinary procedures. If this does not work, then you may be able to make an appeal to an Industrial Tribunal.

What is a consultation at work?

Consultation means asking for and considering employees' views when making decisions. Being consulted about important decisions in the workplace can improve an employee's engagement with their work.

How much money do you get if made redundant?

For each full year you've worked for your employer, you get: up to age 22 - half a week's pay. age 22 to 40 - 1 week's pay. age 41 and older - 1.5 weeks' pay.

What is a final consultation meeting?

During this meeting, the employer should confirm the outcome of the selection process, provide the employee with the opportunity to challenge their selection and respond to any suggestions made by the employee. Before holding a final consultation meeting, the employer should review the redundancy process to date.

Can I be accompanied at a redundancy consultation meeting?

An employee does not have an absolute legal right to be accompanied to all the redundancy consultation meetings, but the best advice for employers is to allow the request for a companion for those employees who wish to be accompanied. The right to be accompanied applies to a 'disciplinary or grievance' hearing.

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