Today we have sent the following letter to Matthew Kershaw, our CEO to ask him to ensure Croydon Health Services NHS trust to ask for his help to fulfil the promise of flexible working for everyone.
Employment Rights
One of the most common questions members ask is whether they must tell their manager the reason they are off sick. The short answer is:
No — employees are not legally required to disclose their specific medical condition to their employer.
A UNISON member with a recognised disability has secured a vital workplace victory after the Trust failed to follow its own policies, wrongly directing her down an inappropriate procedure and leaving the organisation exposed to potential claims of disability discrimination. Following decisive union intervention, the member has now been granted 100% home‑working in line with professional medical advice.
UNISON has welcomed the Employment Rights Act 2025 as one of the most significant advances in workers’ rights for a generation. The Act received Royal Assent in December 2025 and will be implemented in phases between 2025 and 2027.
External consultants are reviewing admin and clerical roles at Croydon University Hospital, aiming to cut costs. UNISON is concerned this could mean job losses or restructuring. We’ve launched a short, confidential survey to hear your views and guide our response.
Croydon University Hospital UNISON Branch has secured a major win for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) through a new agreement with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. Following months of negotiation, qualifying HCSWs will be regraded to Band 3 and receive backpay from 1st August 2021. Payments are expected in October or November. The agreement recognises the increased complexity of HCSW roles and ensures fair pay for their contributions. Staff can opt to remain in Band 2 without losing backpay eligibility. UNISON played a key role in achieving this outcome, demonstrating the power of collective action and partnership working.
UNISON Croydon University Hospital Branch has published a new guide to help members understand their rights and how to make a flexible working request. This follows major changes introduced by the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, which are now reflected in NHS policy and the Trust’s interim guidance.
Thanks to direct intervention by the Croydon University Hospital UNISON branch, the Trust has published Interim Management Guidance on Flexible Working Requests to ensure managers comply with the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 and NHS best practice. This guidance will remain in place while the Trust’s Work Life Balance Policy is being rewritten.
The Croydon Health Services NHS Trust’s policy on working flexibly is out of date and not in line with current legislation. We have asked the Trust to provide interim guidance and update the policy.