HR, legal & training · Short course
Shop Stewards
Employee representation, workplace communication and the responsibilities of a shop steward.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Employee representation, workplace communication and the responsibilities of a shop steward.
The programme brings together representation, employee communication, workplace processes and representation records. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: Employees ask their representative to raise a recurring workplace concern with management. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Shop stewards, employee representatives and workplace committee members.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Clarify the representative’s responsibilities and the concern being raised.
- Prepare a fact-based briefing after listening to affected employees.
- Plan participation in a fictional consultation meeting.
- Record commitments and report back without disclosing inappropriate personal information.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Representation
This part of the programme examines representation, with attention to responsibilities and relationships at work. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Responsibilities.
- Relationships at work.
- Applied work: clarify the representative’s responsibilities and the concern being raised.
Illustrative practical exercise
Clarify the representative’s responsibilities and the concern being raised. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Employee communication
This part of the programme examines employee communication, with attention to listening and raising concerns. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Listening.
- Raising concerns.
- Applied work: prepare a fact-based briefing after listening to affected employees.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a fact-based briefing after listening to affected employees. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Workplace processes
This part of the programme examines workplace processes, with attention to participation in consultation and disputes. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Participation in consultation.
- Disputes.
- Applied work: plan participation in a fictional consultation meeting.
Illustrative practical exercise
Plan participation in a fictional consultation meeting. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Representation records
This part of the programme examines representation records, with attention to preparation, confidentiality and follow-up. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Preparation.
- Confidentiality.
- Follow-up.
- Applied work: record commitments and report back without disclosing inappropriate personal information.
Illustrative practical exercise
Record commitments and report back without disclosing inappropriate personal information. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
Employees ask their representative to raise a recurring workplace concern with management. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.