Advice on how to work effectively with trade unions
Ongoing reports of collective industrial action show how important it is for organisations and people professionals to develop effective ways of working with recognised trade unions to improve employee relations as well as business outcomes.
The historical decline in trade union membership has had an impact on the HR profession. Many contemporary professionals have little experience of dealing with trade unions and so lack the knowledge to handle issues and potential collective disputes effectively. Many also lack the range of skills needed to develop strong joint working relationships with unions and their representatives at a senior and management level.
The aim of this guide is to provide practical advice on working effectively with trade union, proactively making these relationships more partnership-based, and providing the conditions for unions to become an invested ally in your business.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 will make it easier for trade unions to achieve recognition in a number of ways, for example by removing the requirement at the application stage for a union to demonstrate that there is likely to be majority support for trade union recognition. The act will also introduce a new duty on employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union. Keep up to date with the latest on these changes with our Employment Rights Act 2025 Tracker.
This page outlines the current legislation around working with trade unions that should still be followed until any changes come into force. We will update this page once any changes are enforced.
Affiliate membership offers instant access to CIPD resources without the need for assessments or study, or explore your options to become a professional member of the CIPD to demonstrate your commitment to the world of work.
Already a member? Login here.
Claire McCartney, Policy & Practice Manager at the CIPD, explores upcoming changes to parental bereavement leave and pregnancy loss leave provisions, and what members are telling us.
Legality of sanctioning workers who strike
An introduction to trade unions and how to work with them effectively
A manifesto for fair, skilled and innovative work, setting out CIPD’s recommendations for policy-makers to strengthen the Scottish labour market
This guide outlines five steps people professionals can take to become a strategic partner in responsible AI governance.
Guidance on the frameworks for implementing AI responsibly, produced with the British Standards Institution (BSI).
Practical advice for people professionals on how to implement whistleblowing protection, and your legal obligations as a UK employer
Advice for managers on how they can help to manage maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, parental leave and parental bereavement leave