By Mardi O’Keefe
When it comes to workplace support, when you join AMA Victoria matters.
If a workplace issue arises before you become a member, or while your membership has lapsed, it may be considered a pre-existing issue. This means AMA Victoria may not be able to provide support or representation for that matter.
Put simply, you need to be a member before the problem starts, not after.
This is why maintaining continuous AMA Victoria membership throughout your career is so important. You never know when a workplace issue might arise and even something that initially seems minor can quickly become more complex.
What is a pre-existing issue?
A pre-existing issue is a workplace problem, dispute or matter that began before your AMA Victoria membership commenced or during a period when your membership had lapsed.
If you experience a problem at work and think, “I’ll join AMA Victoria and ask for help”, it may already be too late to access support for that particular issue.
What could be considered a pre-existing issue?
Examples may include:
Workplace disputes: A conflict with your health service, manager or colleague that began before you joined.
Performance concerns: A performance review, management process or performance plan already underway.
Bullying, harassment or discrimination: An issue or complaint that arose before your membership commenced.
Pay and entitlement disputes: Unpaid overtime, allowances, leave or other entitlement issues that arose before you became a member.
Certificate of Service: Assistance with a Certificate of Service may require you to have been a member during the period the certificate covers.
Rostering issues: Support with roster changes or disputes may only be available where you were an active member when the issue arose.
Why continuous membership matters
Workplace issues are rarely planned. A roster changes unexpectedly. You discover you have been underpaid. A performance concern is raised. You encounter a difficult workplace situation and need advice about what to do next.
Maintaining your AMA Victoria membership means you have access to expert workplace relations advice and support when a new issue arises, rather than discovering after the fact that the matter is considered pre-existing.
But membership is not just about having support when something goes wrong. If we are doing our job well, we are helping to ensure your workplace rights and conditions are protected, that you get the right advice early and that issues are addressed before they escalate.
Ideally, many problems can be resolved early or avoided altogether.
Think of AMA Victoria membership as career insurance. Maintain your membership so the advice, support and representation are there when you need them, including before a small issue becomes a much bigger one.
Mardi O’Keefe is the Director of Engagement & Professional Growth at AMA Victoria.