A union for life
Many Prospect members change jobs frequently, or have periods of unemployment between contracts. If you're moving on, you don't have to resign your Prospect membership. We can stay with you during those times.
Whether you're:
- moving to a different employer to take up a new job
- training for a change of career
- temporarily unemployed in between contracts
- facing redundancy and haven't yet found a new position
you don't have to give up your Prospect membership. We can continue to provide you with support and services. Many of these can be especially important if you work on an individual contract or for a company that doesn't recognise unions. And if you're not earning or are on a very low income, you will pay a reduced subscription rate - see www.prospect.org.uk/joinus for more information.
If you're retiring on a pension, find out more about our Retired Members' Group.
A new employer?
If your new employer recognises another union we advise you to join that union, because they will have negotiating rights on your behalf. But where this isn't the case, you can simply retain your Prospect membership. We can give you advice on:
- the terms of your employment contract
- employment rights that may affect you such as the working time rules, parental leave, flexible working, unfair dismissal
- rights regarding discrimination, harassment and bullying
- health and safety issues such as stress, computer use, long hours on the road, lone or homeworking.
Full-time Prospect negotiators can accompany you if you have a grievance or disciplinary dispute with your employer. Your employer has to allow this even if they do not recognise Prospect or you are the only member in your workplace.
Members on individual contracts also have access to information provided by Prospect on salaries, terms and conditions, and other work-related issues. All are designed to help you get a better deal from your new employer.
Career development
To help you plan ahead, we provide a professional career counselling service plus training opportunities:
- Opportunities for Change - a personal career development programme
- CareerPlus - web-based advice and guidance on career development options
- Opus 2 - professional career counselling
- a network of union learning reps who can help you analyse your training needs and broaden your skills portfolio.
Pensions advice
Prospect can advise on your current and future pension entitlements. We can represent you in any dispute with your employer over your pension or with the social security appeal tribunal. Our expertise is based on familiarity with hundreds of pension schemes in both private and public sectors, and thousands of personal cases taken out on behalf of members.
Other benefits
Whatever your status, you’ll have access to:
- free legal advice on a 24-hour helpline (non-employment issues)
- our free personal injury scheme for members and immediate family, with a 24-hour Claimline
- career development services
- discounted insurance and mortgages
- will-writing
- expert advice on tax problems
- support from the union's benevolent fund
- advice on entitlement to state benefits
Tell us if your circumstances change
If you move from unemployment to paid work, please let us know. We will need to amend your membership status to ensure you can receive employment-related advice.
If you're moving on but want to stay with Prospect
Don't cancel your direct debit instruction - just tell us about your new circumstances. We'll make the necessary changes and confirm your new subscription rate in writing. You can either visit your personal profile page , email us on membership@prospect.org.uk, call us on 01932 577007, or write to Prospect, Freepost KT2424, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9BR.
You can download a leaflet which summarises the information on this page.