Your newsround this month...
Carers Week
This week is Carers Week (5 – 11 June) – an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
Accord works closely with TSB to influence the policies that support you at work – including a carer’s policy. Did you know that TSB’s carer’s policy gives colleagues with carer responsibilities up to 70 hours (pro rata) of paid leave per year? And you don’t have to be a registered carer or in receipt of a carer’s allowance to benefit. The policy and eligibility criteria are available on TSB’s intranet.
Senior Accord rep, Michelle White, has been a carer all her life and is a strong advocate of the policy. Earlier this year, Michelle met with Wendy Chamberlain MP to talk about carer’s leave – you can read more about it here. If you’d like to know more about the policy or have any questions, please contact Michelle: [email protected]
Parental leave
Another policy that’s hugely beneficial to staff is TSB’s parental leave policy which gives co-parents up to 20 weeks paid leave (a big improvement from the previous offering of 2 weeks). The improved policy came into effect in February last year following joint work between Accord, Unite and TSB in an effort to enhance support for new parents. And since its launch, co-parents have taken an average 96% of paid leave.
Ongoing consultations with TSB
Accord meets regularly with TSB to discuss strategies, policies and issues raised from members. Our current agenda includes:
- Cost of living issues
- Pay and reward
- Career progression
- Staff levels
- Flexible working
If there’s anything else you’d like us to add to our agenda, please email: [email protected]
Accord reps
We’re delighted to welcome Hayley Selbie from Sunderland and Furrukh Riaz from Barnwood to our growing team of reps.
Accord reps support members with any work-related concerns and can signpost the relevant help and support. They aim to be your voice in the workplace – taking issues forward for us to include on our agenda.
If there isn’t a rep in your area, why not consider taking on the role? Reps are allowed paid time-off for union duties and full training will be given. To find out more, please email our senior rep: [email protected]
How would you like to hear from us?
We've been gathering feedback from our members in TSB to help us identify the best ways of communicating with you about membership matters and union news.
Please complete our survey – it’s really short and won’t take you more than a couple of minutes.
To say thank you for sharing your views, we're giving everyone that takes part in the survey the opportunity to win one of 3 cash prizes (3 x £25 prizes).
You’ll have to be quick to respond – you have until 5pm on Friday 9 June to be in with the chance to win.
Making the most of your membership
Here’s a reminder of some of the extra benefits that can help you save money and are free to access as part of your Accord membership:
- Private healthcare cashback: Accord members whose employer provides private healthcare, regardless of grade, can claim 50% of the excess on their policy – up to £100 cashback in any rolling 12 months’ period. Full terms apply.
- Accord travel club: That hard earned holiday can be yours at a real bargain price - members have saved tens, sometimes hundreds of pounds, on the price of a holiday by booking through the Accord travel club. Your family can use this service, and you can even share discounts with your friends if you're travelling with them.
- Legal services: Members and immediate family get access to free, confidential legal advice on any matter - including personal injury claims. The legal services are provided by leading law firms.
- Will writing: Members can benefit from a free online Will writing service as well as discounts and expert legal advice on more complex Wills.
- Commission cashback: Taking out a mortgage, life insurance, critical illness or income protection policy and fancy some extra cash? Our brokers can find you competitively priced policies and the best bit... they'll give you back a lump sum as cashback.
- Lifelong learning fund: The Lifelong Learning Fund provides support to members who want to learn new skills, from flower arranging to a master’s degree – you can apply for a grant whatever you fancy doing on your self-development journey. The fund will provide grants of up to 50% of the cost of courses and training materials, up to a maximum of £500. Terms apply.
- Subscription draw: Every month the Subscription draw makes a lucky jackpot winner £5,000 better off and runners up each get £250. You’ve got to be in it to win it!
Let us know your thoughts
If you have any feedback on the above items or would like other items to be included in our discussions with TSB, please contact [email protected]
