Advice and services
This area of the site sets out the services and support available to Prospect members.
You can find a quick summary in our booklet 'Inside Prospect'.
If you're not already a Prospect member, look at some of the benefits you're missing out on:
» Legal advice and representation - these are among the most important services we offer to members if they have a problem at work.
» Individual/personal contracts advice - we have a special contract helpdesk for expert legal advice on contracts and employment law problems if you're on a personal contract
» A range of Prospect booklets containing guidance and information on issues such as work-related stress, lone working, and family and parental leave.
Some of our services, such as our benevolent fund and death benefit scheme, are provided by Prospect itself.
Others are delivered under the Prospect Members' Services umbrella, which offers a wide range of value-for-money products and services, from competitive mortgages to financial advice.
These services are endorsed by Prospect by agreement with providing companies. While we cannot guarantee that they will always represent the best buy for all members, the union does scrutinise products, prices and the quality of service delivered.
Prospect earns an income from members’ use of some of the services, which is used to finance the union’s benevolent fund and donations to external good causes.
Prospect Members’ Services always advises members to shop around and to satisfy themselves that our approved services offer good value for money.
Factcards
Last updated/published: 30/04/2010
Updated factcard outlining your legal rights at work as at April 2010.
Last updated/published: 02/12/2009
Members' factcard covering the hidden dangers of asbestos, an overview of the law, advice on your rights as an employee, and questions to help Prospect members and reps check compliance in their own workplace.
Last updated/published: 01/04/2008
A guide to the role and rights of union learning reps (ULRs), plus information about training, the benefits for members, and useful contacts.
Last updated/published: 01/07/2007
A guide to working with display screen equipment (updated July 2007). Covers: the law; good practice; advice; action points
Last updated/published: 01/10/2005
A factcard for all members who work with animals and/or in the countryside. Covers details of the law, safe working practices and information about zoonotic infections.
Last updated/published: 01/04/2004
Updated 2004 guidelines on safer driving in the workplace.
Members' guides
Last updated/published: 13/02/2007
Advice for anyone who travels alone, carries out fieldwork or works at outside premises
Last updated/published: 06/03/2003
This guide is out-of-date and no longer available to download.
Last updated/published: 15/04/2007
What is harassment, and how to deal with it
Last updated/published: 30/11/2008
Your legal rights if you're employed on an individual contract; how to negotiate your own contract; and the pitfalls to avoid
Last updated/published: 15/07/2007
A summary of what your employer should be doing to protect your health and safety
Last updated/published: 13/01/2008
The spread of email and the internet at work has raised new issues for trade union members and representatives. Prospect has seen a growing number of disciplinary cases connected to the use of computer facilities. Members need to be aware that inappropriate use of these facilities can result in disciplinary action and dismissal.
Last updated/published: 13/05/2008
Essential pointers for job evaluation interviews or personal reviews
Last updated/published: 11/03/2010
The causes of stress, its effect on health, its symptoms, and employers' legal duties (updated March 2010)
Last updated/published: 19/03/2009
A summary of the statutory employment rights for workers on fixed term contracts
Last updated/published: 15/10/2002
General advice for members who may be about to work overseas. This guide covers: implications for your contract of employment; personal issues such as accommodation, insurance and medical treatment; social security and pensions; health and safety; tips for travellers; tax planning.
Last updated/published: 15/07/2009
This guide explains the process of progressing a claim through an Employment Tribunal (ET). Updated July 2009
Last updated/published: 21/01/2009
This booklet - updated in January 2009 - explains everyone's rights under the Maternity and Parental Leave regulations and the Paternity and Adoptive Leave regulations. It also indicates how your employer can improve upon the minimum provisions. It complements our Members' Guide 13 to Maternity Rights, which sets out entitlement to maternity pay and leave.
Last updated/published: 30/10/2009
Your rights to maternity leave and pay updated in September 2009
Last updated/published: 01/12/2007
The JEGS job evaluation system is widely used in the civil service and related areas
Last updated/published: 19/01/2009
Your rights when a business transfers to a new employer
Last updated/published: 07/06/2010
How flexible and reduced patterns of work can help you balance your working life with your personal life
Last updated/published: 29/04/2008
The legal rights that relate to equal opportunities as at February 2008
Last updated/published: 03/09/2004
The steps likely to be involved in an appeals process
Last updated/published: 19/01/2009
What competencies are, and how they might affect you if introduced into your workplace
Last updated/published: 25/05/2005
Homeworking is an alternative working arrangement in which workers use their home as their subsidiary or main place of work, either as an office or as a base from which visits are made. If you are thinking about working from home there are a number of issues that you need to consider before you agree to such an arrangement.