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Browse frequently asked questions and answers on key HR issues. Navigate by topic or key word search. View latest additions or suggest a question to the XpertHR editorial team.
What is the purpose of a disciplinary interview? What is the difference between an investigatory interview and a disciplinary interview? Who should conduct a disciplinary meeting? Who should be present at a disciplinary interview? Can an employer invite an employee to attend a disciplinary hearing when he or she is on sick leave? Do workers have the right to be accompanied at disciplinary hearings? For the purpose of the right to be accompanied how is a disciplinary or grievance hearing defined? Who can be chosen as a companion at a disciplinary or grievance hearing? What is a "reasonable" request by a worker to be accompanied at a disciplinary or grievance hearing? Can an employer reject an employee’s choice of companion for a disciplinary or grievance hearing? Must an employer permit a 16 or 17 year old to be accompanied by a parent at a disciplinary or grievance hearing? Is a fellow worker or trade union official obliged to accept a request to accompany a worker at a disciplinary or grievance hearing? Where an employer recognises one union can a worker ask to be accompanied by an official of another union at a disciplinary or grievance hearing? Where an employee chooses to be accompanied at a disciplinary or grievance hearing by a union official, is the official required to be qualified or trained in this role? Does a worker have to be a union member to request to be accompanied by a trade union official at a disciplinary or grievance hearing? Does a fellow worker have the right to time off to act as a companion at a disciplinary or grievance hearing?
Yes. A worker is permitted to take a reasonable amount of paid time off during his or her working hours to accompany a colleague to a disciplinary or grievance hearing. The worker may present a complaint to a tribunal if the employer fails to pay him or her for the time off.
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