Disciplinary Hearings advice please chaps and chappettes!

Associate
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Stockport.
Simply, my wife has been called for a disciplinary hearing today at morrisons, where she works, obviously! duh. Anyway, when is comes to a representitive, shes stuck, there are no union reps on, and due to the nature of the hearing, basically someone whos meant to be a friend has reported her for something minor but made out to be big. Problem is she dosnt know exactly which one it was. SO, she doesnt want a staff member because they just sit there do nowt, and she wont be sure if its the person that bubbled her..

My query is, ive searched thy net, i cant find anything that says that I cant be with her, i have read on several sites that I can is she wishes. Before getting into a ruck with her manager of this, can anyone tell me if im allowed?

Thanks lads and lasses for your responses!
 
Caporegime
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do you have reps that are not on shift? surely they should wait until 1 is on shift.

i think in most cases the person who accompanies you is there to take notes only, they are not allowed to represent you unless you appeal, tho that maybe incorrect.
 
Soldato
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The process will be different from company to company.
As has been suggested, the central HR department will be able to give guidance. (note: Don't speak to the in store HR rep, as they will likely give you advice that make their own life easier).
 
Associate
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If there is no rep then the meeting has to be set for a future date when one is available . As regards to you going - You can but you are there as a 3rd party and not intitled to say anything and just take notes
 
Associate
OP
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Skywalker, thats almost exactly what i have read. That it your legal right to have representation in the form of Union Rep and/or work Colleague. But if you wish to have a Lawyer/Friend/Spouse then as long as you tell them then its ok. Thanks for all your replies guys and gals, Much appreciate :)
 
Soldato
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St.Andrews
Skywalker said:
Untrue im affraid - What if you wanted to take a lawyer

Personally I don't know but I just putting up what I was told. However since we had a new Manager less than 6 months before my incident I think I got the royal screw job to be made an example of :|
 
Soldato
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The hearing should be held off until such times that a on site union rep or a rep from the union itself is available for the hearing.
Its worth getting someone thats used to dealing with these kind of things as they know ways to deal with them and could often make the case null and void.
 
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AndyPants said:
Skywalker, thats almost exactly what i have read. That it your legal right to have representation in the form of Union Rep and/or work Colleague. But if you wish to have a Lawyer/Friend/Spouse then as long as you tell them then its ok. Thanks for all your replies guys and gals, Much appreciate :)

You have to give them written notice if your attending 24 hours in advance unless it was an on the spot call into the office

If no rep can be made avaliable and they dont want to change the date then let it go on and then put the appeal in and then it will all be forgotten about as they havent followed company procedure

I only know this because I was a rep for about 8 years - Oh and I also got done for sexualy harrasing and beating up another male work mate :rolleyes: Although no evidence was present

Need anymore help with this then catch me in msn
 
Godfather
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There is no right to take a lawyer to a disciplinary meeting, just another member of staff or a union representative. It's a meeting at work not a court hearing.
 
Associate
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Representation can only normally be made by a union rep and normally only a friend who is also employed by the company can go in with her, and in both cases, they are usually from the same area or branch.

Is this a fact-finding interview? Or has she actually been accused and about to be disciplined? Again, in both cases she should be able to ask for the meeting to be postponed until a Rep can be present. Normally 7 days notice should be given prior to a disciplinary so that arrangements can be made for union representation.

Although I am a CWU Rep, I have attended courses run by the TUC and there seems to be very little difference in the way disciplinary cases are dealt with.

If I were you, I would ask for the case to be postponed until a Rep becomes available. There is no point paying union subs if you are not going to make use of them. If she is forced to attend the meeting, make it clear that she wants representation and refuse to sign anything they give her. So long as she belongs to a union that is recognised by the employer, she is legally entitled to representation.

There must be some union literature around that has a contact number on it for her local branch, please phone them for guidance. Please, Please, don’t get into a ruck with her manager, this wont help her case.
 
Associate
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There is no right to take a lawyer to a disciplinary meeting, just another member of staff or a union representative. It's a meeting at work not a court hearing.

True. If it was an offence covered by criminal law then the police and courts would be involved and the union would provide help getting a lawyer. It's usually only a rep or work colleague from the site that is allowed to attend the meeting.
 
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