Disciplinary - right to representation.

[saxy_jag]

Without going into too much detail, I've been getting a lot of grief from my office supervisor of late and I've now been told today that I have to meet with my managers to receive an 'oral warning' over my behaviour towards her. I have a right to have a union rep present and I'm waiting for the union to get back to me on that. However, I've been told that if I can't arrange union representation or a colleague to represent me, then they will either choose a colleague on my behalf or go ahead without.

Can they do this, or do I have a right to have the meeting postponed? Also, what if I'm sick on the day of the meeting?

[factor-fiction]

I understood you had a right to bring someone of your choice, but I'm a bit out of touch so I'm only 90% certain. But I suppose if you can't find a colleague then I don't see what else can be done except what the company is suggesting

[Eve]

You might find this helpful as to what ACAS suggests as the best way of dealing with matters generally. It's not the law but if you read the preamble it explains the foreward.

http://www.acas.org.u...x.aspx?articleid=2175

Keep notes of everything (times, dates, who said what when etc...) and copies of any relevant documents away from work (obviously nothing you aren't allowed copies of away from the office).

Things which may well be worth noting - have there been any previous meetings / discussions / correspondence etc... about this issue, has any kind of prior investigation been done before they decided on a disciplinary sanction, did they put the meeting notification in writing and have they fully explained any "allegations" to you, in particular in writing?

[saxy_jag]

Thank you Jenna - I hadn't even thought about asking them for confirmation in writing. I'm going email the boss and ask her for that, just to cover myself.

Spoke to a friend tonight who's retired but very knowledgable on social justice. He pretty much says what everyone else has said, namely that I have a right to have a 'companion'of my own choosing and that they have to postpone the meeting if I can't.