What it's like to be an Equality Rep.........

Mary Callaghan works in administration for Heinz in Wigan. Here she talks about her time as an equality rep, how important it is and the real difference it can make.

‘I’ve been a lead safety /equality rep for the last five years and a T&G Member for 17 years.

‘As a rep I'm there to act as a sounding board; to listen to members' problems. I can go and speak on their behalf to get issues resolved.

‘I can really see the difference being a rep makes, when you know you have helped solve someone's problems. You can see people are so much happier, after we have intervened and have got the company to make changes.

‘I would really emphasise the importance of training to everyone. I've been on courses, which have taught me how to approach and deal with issues both in terms of workers and employers. This has been a key reason behind our workplace successes.’

The role of the equality rep is to increase awareness amongst employees about  flexible working rights and discrimination issues; by working alongside statutory union representatives

 (A version of this article appeared in the T&G Record)version