Right to be Accompanied at a Disciplinary

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Employers can refuse a worker’s request to be accompanied if it is not reasonable, for that person to attend. It would for example not be reasonable for a worker to insist on being accompanied by a colleague:

• Whose presence would prejudice the hearing
• Who might have a conflict of interest
• Who is located at a geographically remote site where there is someone suitably qualified on-site.

The person whom the worker chooses does have the right to refuse to accompany the worker but, if they consent to attend, the companion should be given a reasonable amount of paid time off during working hours to participate in and prepare for the hearing.

During hearings, the companion has the right to address the hearing, to confer with the employee, to put across the case, to sum up the case and to respond on the employee’s behalf. However, the companion has no right to answer questions on the employer’s behalf, address the hearing if the employee does not want that to happen or to prevent the employer from explaining their case.