LRD Publications: guides and handbooks

• Labour Research Department guides and handbooks on trade union and employment relations issues. RCN reps can access for free.
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Royal College of Nursing (2022) The stewards' handbook. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2022) The stewards' pocketbook. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2024) RCN health and safety representative’s handbook. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2019) RCN Learning representative’s handbook. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2025) The RCN activism strategy 2025 - 2027. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2024) Continuing learning and development for RCN Reps: structure and quality assurance framework. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2017) Making the case for facilities time and facilities agreements in the NHS. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2025) Nursing workforce standards: supporting a safe and effective nursing workforce . London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2025) Ask. Listen. Act. Using the nursing workforce standards to improve the working lives of members. 3rd edn. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2024) RCN employment standards for independent health and social care sectors. London: RCN.

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Royal College of Nursing (2025) State of the profession report: RCN employment survey 2025. London: RCN.

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RCN: Raising concerns toolkit

• This guide is to help nurses, nursing associates, students and health care support workers based in the NHS and independent sector. It includes a decision making tree to help nursing staff and students decide whether to raise a concern and when to escalate a concern.
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Nursing and Midwifery Council (2019) Raising concerns: guidance for nurses and midwives and nursing associates. Rev. edn. London: NMC.

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Nursing and Midwifery Council and General Medical Council (2024) Openness and honesty when things go wrong: the professional duty of candour. Manchester: GMC.

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Ash A (2016) Whistle blowing and ethics in health and social care. London: Jessica Kinglsey.

• Access through RCN library

Aylott E (2022) Employee relations: a practical introduction. 3 edn. London: KoganPage.

• Access through RCN library

Barsky A E (2017) Conflict resolution for the helping professions: negotiation, mediation, advocacy, facilitation, and restorative justice. 3rd edn. New York: Oxford University Press.

• Access through RCN library

Burchill F (2014) Labour relations. 4th edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

• Access through RCN library

Cotton E (2017) Surviving work in healthcare: helpful stuff for people on the frontline. London: Routledge.

• Access through RCN library

Lee K and Sprotson R (2023) A straightforward guide to employment law. Rev. edn. Derby: Straightforward Publishing.

• Access through RCN library

Jones-Fosu J (2024) I respectfully disagree: how to have difficult conversations in a divided world. Oakland: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

• Access through RCN library

Johnstone S and Ackers P (2015) Finding a voice at work? new perspectives on employment relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Access through RCN library

Mitchell B and Gamlem C (2015) The essential workplace conflict handbook: a quick and handy resource for any manager, team leader, HR professional, or anyone who wants to resolve disputes and increase productivity. Pompton Plains, NJ: Career Press.

• Access through RCN library

Simms M, Holgate J and Heery E (2013) Union voices: tactics and tensions in UK organizing. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

• Access through RCN library

Trades Union Congress (2017) Facility time: a TUC guide to defending the right to represent members. London: TUC.

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Trades Union Congress (2019) Pocket guide to organising and campaigning. London: TUC.

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Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.

• Employment law
• Industrial relations/employment relations
• Union representatives

Use these links to see details of journal articles on each topic.

• Employment law
• Trade unions
• Whistleblowing

Journals of interest for RCN reps.

• Activists (RCN magazines)

RCN reps can access these specialist journals from LRD Publications for free.

• Contact the Library for LRD Publications login details
• Labour Research is a UK monthly that keeps you right on top of what's happening in the unions - from how they're responding to the impact of government policy on unions and working people to union initiatives on recruitment and growth.
  Labour Research (LRD Publications login required)
• Workplace Report covers the latest developments in pay and conditions, best practice and news on pay deals. Its centre section provides a unique update on case law developments in two areas of employment law each month.
  Workplace Report (LRD Publications login required)

ACAS (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)

• Information on rights at work. The ‘Advice and Guidance’ section includes an advice A-Z and ACAS Helpline for England, Scotland and Wales.
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Equality and Human Rights Commission

• The Commission has responsibility for the promotion and enforcement of equality and non-discrimination laws in England, Scotland and Wales.
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Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

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Labour Relations Agency (Northern Ireland)

• Provides an impartial and confidential employment relations service to those engaged in industry, commerce and the public services in Northern Ireland.
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NHS Employers

• Aims to keep employers up to date with the latest workforce thinking, the information on this site is also useful for reps.
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TUC150: 150 years of changing the world of work for good

• The Trades Union Congress presents a set of trade union stories from the past 150 years, snapshots of trade unionists.
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