Can I have legal representation at a grievance meeting?

b1uecee

Best if you go to citizen adice and ask or ask a legal person whom deals with employment but my guess is yes because you have rights to protect yourself and if you cant do that, then take a friend. good luck and let me know how it went if you want.

gorilla

You are entitled to a representative at a grievance meeting and you choose who it should be. A solicitor is ideal but a little costly. Be careful as to how you present "illegal"practices as it could cause you trouble if you dont have the evidence.
Dont suppose you could name the company?
Good Luck.

Tufty Porcupine

I'm sorry, I don't understand this. A 'grievance' is something that is brought by an employee of a company against that company. Is this the case? Clearly it is not your grievance. Has somebody made a grievance concerning you?
You say you have resigned. I assume you are therefore working your notice? If you are no longer employed by the company you are not required to attend at all! If you are still employed (and working your notice) then you can take a legal representative in with you if you like, but they will not have the same rights as a union rep i.e. they cannot 'represent' you as such but can only observe. But then, this is not a disciplinary case against you is it? It's a grievance case. Whether a disciplinary case would arise from it seems to me to be irrelevant as you have resigned (What are they going to do? Sack you?)
A legal rep will of course charge you heavily - I am not sure such an appearance would merit the cost, especially since you have resigned, but only you can decide this.
You are still entitled to join a union, even if your company 'doesn't have one' - I'd advise you to do this next time (it's too late for this case as unions will not take on pre-existing cases).

Hector S

Hi - I would go for legal representation if you have got a serious grievance (strong enough to be held in an employment tribunal) and also the longer completed years service you have with the company the stronger case you have to bring constructive dismissal against your employer.
If the job you do is covered by a union even though you have not got one, call them up. For example if you work in anything to do with transport, you contact the T&G union. They will be happy to give advise as long as it lets to a membership!! might be cheaper than legal representation

fengirl2

Note that as you have resigned, they should be following the modified procedure. You have a right to be accompanied - see this link and ring the Acas helpline if unsure.
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=914

hr4me

If this is a U.S. situation -

Since you no longer work for the company you are not governed by their rules unless you signed any kind of a separation agreement or severance agreement that spells out this situation and meeting. I would call them and let them know that you will cooperate with them and attend this meeting but as you are not represented by a union that is not a reasonable solution. Let them know that you do not wish to involve any other collegues and bring them in to the situation as they still work for the company and this could put their future employment in jeopardy. Let them know that you would like to bring a legal representative with you as you feel that you want to protect your personal interests and rights should any legal action come from this meeting. If they say no then let them know that you will not attend the meeting. Maybe a professional arbitrator from an outside company? I'd stick to my guns about a legal representative with you myself. If it is a request to attend and not a legal subpeona then they can't call the shots. If you were served with a subpeona to appear then you have the right to legal council with you.

If this is out of the U.S. I'm sorry I can't help you out with this situation as I am unfamiliar with your local laws and rights.

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