Whether you have a right to be accompanied depends on the type of HR meeting. Formal disciplinary hearings and relevant grievance meetings can carry a statutory right. Investigation, attendance, wellbeing and other HR meetings may depend on departmental policy, good practice or reasonable adjustments.
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Meetings where accompaniment may apply
| Meeting | General position | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Disciplinary hearing | A statutory right normally applies where the meeting could result in a formal warning or other disciplinary action. | The invite, disciplinary policy and who qualifies as a companion. |
| Disciplinary appeal | A statutory right normally applies. | Notice, companion availability and the appeal policy. |
| Relevant grievance meeting or appeal | A statutory right may apply, with the exact position depending on the nature of the grievance. | The grievance policy and whether the complaint concerns a legal or contractual duty. |
| Investigation or fact-finding meeting | There is no automatic statutory right merely because it is an investigation, although policy or good practice may allow accompaniment. | Department policy, union arrangements and any adjustment need. |
| Health, attendance, wellbeing or performance discussion | The position usually depends on policy and circumstances unless the meeting is also a formal disciplinary or grievance hearing. | Attendance, capability, performance and reasonable-adjustment policies. |
Who can usually act as a companion?
Where the statutory right applies, the usual choices are a workplace colleague, a certified workplace trade union representative or an official employed by a trade union. A department may allow wider support. A disabled employee may also ask for another person where this is needed as a reasonable adjustment.
Do not assume a representative can answer every question for you
A companion may present or sum up your case, respond to points and confer with you, but the chair can still expect you to answer questions about facts within your knowledge. Agree roles before the meeting.
Members can unlock: a meeting-by-meeting accompaniment decision tool, request wording, companion briefing pack, postponement wording when your chosen companion is unavailable and a plan for using representation effectively during the meeting.
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