Setting Up Employee Representation Forums

Introducing or revitalising Workforce Engagement and Employee representation. 

Our setting up employee representation forums training covers what you need to do to introduce or revitalise a workforce engagement forum.

In doing so it helps you introduce employee representation into your business and develop an effective and essential link between the workforce and management. One that helps all parties to understand the others views and perspectives and ultimately delivering better quality results faster.

The benefits are especially strong in times of turbulence and change, helping to improve the quality of planning and decision-making, keeping staff informed, on-board and providing a route for challenge if things go astray.

It is imperative that the structure and design of forums, constitutions and role descriptors meets the needs of the business and that reps time is focussed where it delivers maximum benefit. This demands careful consideration, preferably before the Reps are appointed. This short course highlights the options and approaches across a range of different models.

For Whom?

This course is for HR teams, Operational Managers, Staff Representatives looking to introduce, relaunch or revitalise employee representation schemes.

Content

Understanding Options and Approaches

  • Model One – Trade Union/Collective Bargaining
  • Model Two -General Employee Rep Scheme
  • Model Three -Specialist Forums or Working Parties
  • Model Four – Advocacy Model

Clear boundary protocols operate with all four models. There is sometimes overlap between Model 1 and Model 4. There is sometimes overlap between Model 2 and 4. Sometimes employee reps in Model 3 (specialist) will have ‘seat’ on Model I and 2 acting in liaison or link up capacity.

Constitutions, Rules, Boundaries and Limitations

  • What to put in, what to leave out and some templates to make life easier
  • Avoiding Moans and Groans Sessions
  • Enhancing Business Development

Recruiting and Appointing Reps

  • Role Descriptors
  • Appointment Routes
  • Induction, Training and CPD

TRAINING for Employee Reps

Employee Representation Training - person writing a staff meeting notice
Employee Rep Training
Employee Representative - CPD Training Courses
Role and Skills Training
Role & Employment Law
Introduction to Role - 3 hour
Employment Legislation
Redundancy Training
TUPE Training
"Individual Consultation"
Consultation Good Practice
Practical Consultation - Changes to Contracts
Practical Consultation - Pensions
Pay & Benefit Discussions
Setting Up Employee Representation & Forums

Employee Representation Reference Guides

These guides are provided free of charge to help make your employee representation forum more effective. Our Employee Representation training courses explore and build on these to help you improve quality and effective even further.  

Employee Representation Models

When introducing Employee Representation, the first thing that needs to be considered is the scope and structure that best meets the needs of the business. This guide explores 4 typical structures.

Employee Representation Forum Constitutions

This reference document outlines typical rules & arrangements for effective Employee Representation Forums. It includes hints and tips on employee representation forum structures rules and boundaries

Advocacy Model – 10 tips for Difficult Meetings

In non-unionised organisations employee representatives are often tasked with providing advocacy and mentoring support to staff. These meetings can be complex and demanding. This short article provides 10 useful hints and tips to make any meeting go smoothly

What Makes an Employee Representative Effective?

Employee Representatives are usually elected by the people they represent, the workforce. They are often elected on willingness to stand or popularity. What can the employer do to help them perform well in role and help develop business success.  This guides provides some ideas. 

Employee Representative Role Descriptor

An Employee Representative Role Descriptor Template. To maximise the effectiveness of any Employee Representative it is important that those standing, voting and appointing representatives understand the role and what it involves. The Role Descriptor play a critical part in achieving this.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about this Training

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact our support team.

Why should you use Concrew Training?

  • Specialist HR, Employment Law & Compliance training provider
  • We reference to official Government bodies such as ACAS, ICO, EHRC
  • Content tailored to your policies and procedures
  • CPD certificates included
  • 12 months of post-course support
  • UK-wide delivery
  • Online and face-to-face options
  • Open and transparent pricing

What information is available on course content?

We publish detailed course overviews for all courses. These provide indicative content based on the course learning plans. Final content is tailored to each client’s individual requirements.

What other information is available on individual courses?

Free reference guides and resources to help employers evaluate training quality and improve workplace compliance

Can you include our company policies and procedures in the training?

Yes. We actively encourage this approach. Including your policies and procedures helps demonstrate how, where, and why good practice applies within your organisation. This contextualises the learning, improves engagement, and increases the practical value of the training. There is no additional charge for incorporating your policies and procedures.

How long do Concrew Training courses last?

  • Standard courses: 6 hours of learning (approx. 7 hours including breaks)
  • Condensed 3-hour sessions available
  • Extended sessions or multi-day programmes available

How many people can attend each course?

  • Online courses: up to 15 participants
  • Face-to-face courses: up to 20 participants
  • Whole workforce awareness sessions: available for larger groups

Where does Concrew Training deliver training?

  • Online: via your preferred video conferencing platform (Zoom, Teams, etc.) across the UK
  • Face-to-face: on your premises in England, Scotland, and Wales

How much does your training cost?

Typical prices range from £800 to £2,000 excluding VAT. Final cost depends on course duration, location, number of participants, and payment terms.

  • Full pricing details available on our website
  • No hidden charges
  • Formal quotations remain valid for 30 days

What are your courses like?

Our courses are delivered as interactive workshops rather than traditional lectures, and typically include:

  • Subject specialist input
  • Interactive quizzes
  • Group discussions
  • Practical exercises
  • Real-world case studies

We incorporate your organisation’s policies and procedures wherever possible to ensure the learning is relevant, engaging, and immediately applicable.

Who delivers the training?

Training is delivered by experienced subject specialists with extensive knowledge in their field. Our trainers:

  • Have significant practical experience
  • Can answer most participant questions during the session
  • Provide follow-up responses for complex questions
  • Are skilled facilitators who make technical subjects engaging

Do you issue CPD certificates?

Yes. All participants receive a CPD certificate detailing learning hours completed and headline course content.

Who uses your training services?

We work with organisations of all sizes, including:

  • Large international organisations
  • Public sector employers
  • Charities and not-for-profits
  • SMEs and local businesses

Attendees commonly include directors, senior leaders, HR professionals, operational managers, line managers, employee representatives, and staff teams. Customer feedback and testimonials are available on our website.

Why should I book a Concrew Training course?

Our training is:

  • Delivered live by subject specialists
  • Designed for real-world application
  • Suitable for teams of up to 20 participants
  • Available face-to-face in England, Scotland, and Wales
  • Available online across the UK
  • Practical, engaging, and immediately applicable
  • High-quality and competitively priced

Suitable for directors, senior leaders, HR teams, operational managers, line managers, staff teams, and employee representatives.

How far in advance should we book training?

We recommend booking training 2–3 months in advance. Availability is generally good with a three-month lead time. Dates are only reserved once a booking is confirmed. Short-term bookings may be limited.

How do I book a course?

  1. Complete our quote request form
  2. Receive a formal quotation and provide any delivery details
  3. Confirm your booking
  4. Receive a formal Delivery Confirmation and “What Happens Next” guidance

Is there anything else I will need to do?

For online courses

  • Schedule the event on your video conferencing platform
  • Share joining details with attendees
  • Provide the trainer profile and course overview

For face-to-face courses

  • Book the room/venue and required equipment
  • Share trainer details and course overview with attendees
  • Print and provide handouts to the trainer prior to the session

After the course

  • Distribute post-course handouts and CPD certificates

How does your 12-month post-course support service work?

Email us with any training-related questions that arise following the course. We provide guidance and support relating to the training content covered.

Note: This service is not a substitute for legal advice.

What happens if I have more questions?

We’re here to help. You can contact us at any stage before, during, or after your training programme, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.