‘Fed reps are an asset to the teams they work in’
22 March 2023
West Midlands Police Federation has produced a guide for line managers whose team includes a workplace representative.
The document aims to ensure managers are fully aware of the Police Federation’s purpose, the responsibilities of the branch’s Fed reps and how much time they need to perform their roles.
Tim Rogers, secretary of West Midlands Police Federation, says: “Fed reps are an asset to the departments they work in and should be seen as such by managers. They are an integral part of the management team and one that can greatly help them in doing their roles looking after staff and ensuring the Force is better able to meet the overwhelming demands it faces.
“Some managers have seen the granting of facilities for workplace reps to carry out their roles as something negative, a bother to them and the wider team. But, in fact, the investment that Fed reps receive by way of training and experience make them an absolute asset for any forward-thinking manager.”
Tim Rogers.
The guide highlights areas such as duty time for Federation meetings, training, the national conference, department and health and safety meetings, on-call Fed reps and confidentiality.
It also sets out the various areas of legislation designed to protect reps from discrimination or detriment connected to them carrying out their Police Federation commitments.
It says: “Depending on the proportion of duty time spent on Federation activities, it may be prudent to consider them akin to a part-time worker in terms of performance managing their day job.
“The opportunity cost here is offset by the value the Federation role provides to the wider department.”
Previously managers have gained so much from their rep that they have allowed them to do most of their Fed role within the team, in support of their department and the members. In others the reps share out the work but still have a day job.
And the guide for line managers adds: “If you were the officer accused of something or needed support, what would your expectations be of your Federation rep? How available should they be? How well trained should they be? How much influence and representation should they have with senior leaders?”
