When can an employee be accompanied?

‘The right to be accompanied’ means that by law, an employee or worker can bring a relevant person (‘companion’): in a grievance procedure: to any meetings. in a disciplinary procedure: to a meeting or hearing that will give or confirm a formal warning or other disciplinary action.

What is the right to be accompanied?

The right to be accompanied means that an employee or worker can bring a ‘relevant person’ with them to a disciplinary or grievance meeting. This person is officially referred to as your companion.

Why do employees have the right to be accompanied?

Employees and workers have a statutory right to be accompanied when they are summoned by their employer to attend a disciplinary or grievance hearing. The person who accompanies them at such meetings is known as a “companion”.

Who can accompany an employee to a redundancy meeting?

Your employer might let you bring someone with you to your redundancy meetings – for example someone from your union or HR. It can be helpful to have someone there to take notes and support you. If this isn’t mentioned in your redundancy process, ask your employer if you can bring someone.

How do you investigate at work?

How to conduct an investigation in the workplace

Once you have determined under which process the investigation is being carried out (e.g. grievance), provide the employee with a copy of the relevant policy and procedure document.
Decide who will lead the investigation.
Collect relevant evidence.
Be thorough.

What is an informal meeting at work?

Define Informal Meeting – An informal meeting is a meeting which is far less heavily planned and regulated than a formal business meeting, and so lacks many of the defining features of a formal business meeting, such as minutes, a chairperson and a set agenda.

What legislation covers discipline and grievances at work?

the Employment Act 2008
The most important provisions governing discipline and grievances at work are found in the Employment Act 2008 and Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2008. The Acas Code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures is also of significant importance.

What does an employee representative do?

An employee representative is a worker within an organisation who is chosen by other workers within the organisation to represent a category of workers in negotiations or consultations with the employer.

Can you make someone redundant when on furlough?

“Your employer can still make you redundant while you’re on furlough or afterwards. Your rights as an employee are not affected by being on furlough, including redundancy rights.”

Who is a companion in the work place?

In most cases, the companion should be someone from or associated with the workplace – a colleague or a representative/official of a trade union – even if the trade union is not recognised by the employer.

Do you have a right to be accompanied at work?

Right to be accompanied. You have a legal right to be accompanied at all Formal Meetings with your employer regarding any problems or concerns you may have at work. But this companion may only be a work colleague or a representative of a trade union. Your legal right to be accompanied. The law is clear.

Can a colleague act as a workplace representative?

The colleague you ask doesn’t have to say yes – and they shouldn’t feel pressurised into doing it if it’s something they’re not comfortable with. Any colleague who acts as a workplace representative for someone won’t suffer any negative treatment for doing so.

What to bring to a co-op colleagues meeting?

If you have a disability, we may agree for you to bring along a professional support worker, such as a sign language interpreter, or a friend or family member as a reasonable adjustment. So talk to your manager about your needs. We don’t normally allow external solicitors or professional trade bodies to represent colleagues at formal meetings.

Can You reschedule a meeting with a co-op colleague?

Any rescheduled meeting will usually be within a week of the original meeting time – but may be longer in exceptional circumstances. If a suitable time can’t be agreed within a reasonable time period, the meeting may go ahead and you’ll be able to ask someone else to accompany you.