Yes, I'm a member of Prospect and I'm quite happy. I've never been involved with a dispute, but I know the union and my employer are in regular contact from the very top of the org down to my department's head.

How does the protection work in the case of e.g. Brexit going badly? Do they have insurance policies that pay out if the UK economy tanks?

I was thinking more if the economic conditions after brexit/COVID are bad and one's employer starts doing some dodgy things, you have some element of protection.

So I was thinking unfair dismissal, poorly executed/rushed/unfair "redundancy", and general other unfavourable things from a company that is struggling. Or maybe your employer suddenly thinks it doesn't need to care about equality or employment law and the like etc now we're out of the EU, or are taking a liberal interpretation of any new legislation that is screwing over the workers etc.

If the company is going bust after brexit there probably isn't much here that can be done, but if it is just downsizing/cost-cutting etc or instigates some questionable & unfavourable new policies you at least have some element of help, even if it is just giving you some advice or sending your employer a letter from their legal people etc.

Might buy you some time or a better exit-package if nothing else. Having looked down the barrel of two potential-redundancies (that were avoided eventually) in the last few years without anyone to talk to about "is this fair? am I getting screwed? what can I do?" etc, it is well worth it for the peace of mind and the feeling that you have someone who can go out to bat on your behalf if you think you've been screwed IMO. Everyone talks about how the employee-employer relationship is totally skewed towards the employer, this at least feels like you stand a chance if anything bad happens.

Uncertain times.

Thank you for explaining.