"I never thought this would happen to me."

Mary* called ACSS' Membership Department yesterday in a panic:

"I never thought in a million years anything like this would happen to me. I'm a good employee with an outstanding service record."

Mary cancelled her ACSS membership two years ago. Like so many hardworking state supervisors and managers, Mary thought that if she just did her job well she would never run into any issues. Why stay a member if she would never make waves?

And then the notice of adverse action landed on her desk. A 45-day suspension. A timesheet issue with one of her staff.

Mary was shocked. She'd never had an issue in 25 years of state service. She decided to respond to the adverse action on her own. As a hearing loomed the next day, Mary called ACSS in a panic:

"I've tried to go at this alone but now I don't know what to do..."

Every day ACSS' Membership Department receives calls from nonmembers who need immediate assistance related to adverse actions, grievances, or other career emergencies. We talk with nonmembers who rack up thousands of dollars in legal fees before their case even gets started. We hear from nonmembers who are suddenly being escorted off the property and have no one else to call.

And every day we have to explain to those nonmembers: If you belong to ACSS you have access to our professional representation. If you don't belong, you have to navigate the complex - and often biased - legal system alone.

An ACSS labor relations representative was able to give her a quick rundown on the hearing timeline, but Mary will still have to face the proceedings without ACSS' legal team by her side and risk a career of impeccable service that spans a quarter of a century.

If you've cancelled your ACSS membership - or have yet to join - do your career a favor and fill out our online application now.

ACSS dues max out at just $36/month and not only do they entitle you to representation by California's largest full-time legal team dedicated to fighting for your career, you also get hundreds of other great benefits like discount electronics, theme park and sports tickets, and much more.

* name changed to protect employee