CPD training for employee reps to help them participate in consultations on changes to pensions and pay review procedures

Recent enquiries led to us developing 2 new courses for employee reps, whilst similar in style and nature each served a very specific and different need. In one instance our client was considering making significant changes to the way annual pay and benefits were calculated, in the second the client was looking to withdraw from a defined benefit final salary pension scheme.

In both cases our clients wanted to engage, actively with their employees via their employee representatives; our training was designed to help their employee reps understand, better, the options available and the legislation that protected employees from unfair changes. This training was, in both cases complimented with a closing session that gave hints and tips on good practice across the range of activities the reps were likely to be involved in.

Changes to Annual Pay Review Scheme

• Pay and Benefit Rules and Regulations
• Collective Bargaining
• Definition/Aim/Types/Typical Process/Risks/
• Nuts and Bolts/The Codes
• Collective Agreements
• Five Headings – One is Pay
• Scheme Options pros/cons
• Entitlement to paid time off
• Requirement for Relevant Information
• Legal Frameworks
• Associated Employment Law topics

Changes to Pension Schemes

• Stock Taking – How we got here and what next
  • Introduction
  • Drivers behind the need to change schemes
  • Relationship to employment contracts and state pensions
• Key Definitions and Terms
  • What is a Pension Scheme
  • Pensions Regulator
  • Pensions Dashboard
  • Defined BenefitsSchemes
    • Final salary
    • Career Average
• Defined Contribution/Money Purchase Schemes
  • Pension Funds
  • SIPP
  • Annuities
  • Drawdown
• Deferred Pensions
• Differing Pensions Schemes Pros and Cons
• Defined Benefit
• Defined Contribution
• The Legal Framework
  • Pension Enrolment
  • Contracts of Employment
  • Inferred conditions of employment

• Consultation on Changes to Pension arrangements
  • Changes to contracts of employment – the legal position
  • Collective consultations
• Definitions and scope
  • rules, hints, tips
• Further resources and support

• Action Points
  • The role of the employee rep in collective consultations
  • The activities and tasks that reps may be involved in during collective consultations
  • Signposting skills needed

Skills Development (closing session for both courses)
Hints and Tips for Success in pivotal Activities

• Active Listening
• Assertiveness
• Communication
• Presentations and Public Speaking
• Meetings – planning and process
• Negotiations – planning and conduct
• Observation
• Questioning Techniques
• Working well with others