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Do people professionals join their workplace union?

Claire

As people professionals we are often involved in decisions and policy development that will be something that union reps (and therefore the union members) are consulted on. I feel this could be a conflict of interest or at least raise an ethical concern of knowing more about how organisational decisions or changes are being developed, whilst also knowing how people within the union are feeling or what they want to see changes on.

Notwithstanding confidential matters which should remain confidential, I foresee situations where it would be difficult to know how much to say or how much to allow wider your knowledge to impact conversations that you're part of, whether that's within the union or within organisational management discussions.

Obviously, everyone should feel able to join if they want to, but what's the reality for people professionals?

Parents

  • It depends  The main issue for me is if there will be a conflict of interests, and there's a couple been given by other replies (Leave the meeting !!!)  Don't forget what most employers employ you for.

    But if you as 'HR' feel you are so distanced from those above you and you feel more aligned to the rest of the workforce then I don't see why you shouldn't be a member.  It really depends on what you want from joining the same union as the rest of the staff.

    As an ex-shop steward in a previous life I'd be very wary of allowing some of the ' more senior office staff' to either join the union or attend union meetings.   I would think many union members would see you as some kind of spy or informer.  Whose side would you be on?  Theirs or ours?  As your employer I'd also wonder wheere your loyalties lay?  Them?  Or us?

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  • It depends  The main issue for me is if there will be a conflict of interests, and there's a couple been given by other replies (Leave the meeting !!!)  Don't forget what most employers employ you for.

    But if you as 'HR' feel you are so distanced from those above you and you feel more aligned to the rest of the workforce then I don't see why you shouldn't be a member.  It really depends on what you want from joining the same union as the rest of the staff.

    As an ex-shop steward in a previous life I'd be very wary of allowing some of the ' more senior office staff' to either join the union or attend union meetings.   I would think many union members would see you as some kind of spy or informer.  Whose side would you be on?  Theirs or ours?  As your employer I'd also wonder wheere your loyalties lay?  Them?  Or us?

Children
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