could have been a contender
Oh well, that will be my career up then. Personnel Today magazine and the TUC have been talking to union reps, and found that 92 per cent think that taking on the role of rep has damaged their career prospects.
Hmm. Not so sure, and I think you can spin it pretty well to work for some jobs. It shows an interest in other people and their problems and a willingness to muck in in difficult situations. It suggests you might be able to take on big new responsibilities, and make something of them with near-zero resources. People skills, business awareness and HR knowledge are also bonuses for a good rep. All in all, I reckon it might even make you pretty employable.
This seems to be borne out a bit in the survey with only 36 per cent of HR professionals agreeing with the 92 per cent of reps, and more of them thinking well of the reps’ professionalism than those reps might suppose.
(I said some jobs mind… I might not keep it in such pride of place on my CV if ever I were forced to apply to RyanAir).
Tags: career, Personnel Today, reps, TUC
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
It’s a few years now since I did anything like that - (I’m still an NUJ member though) - but in the post where I was acting FoC I stopped when I was promoted, so clearly I wasn’t in too much bad odour.
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Oops! Sorry about that Adrian - yes, I know it & do check your blog from time to time. Will got read half a dozen of your posts now in pennance!
Hope you’re getting over the bitterness okay (blog title aside!). You’re right about the risks of getting jaded and bitter in regularly being the meat in a grievance sandwich between members and employers, and maybe this is a feeling coming through in this survey, with reps’ low opinion of their respect their role gets them.
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Hey, you nicked the title of my blog. I was a NALGO/Unison shop steward for almost five years. Didn’t really damage my prospects but I do realise now that most of the people doing it were in some way bitter, while I was just young and enthusiastic!
(Later I was an NUJ acting FoC and I have recognise that I was a bit more bitter then!)