Accompanying a member

Q: Does a member have the right to be accompanied by a union rep or a friend in a meeting with management to discuss whether she will transfer to another office? She does not want to go.

A: The right to be accompanied by a union rep or a workplace colleague applies only to disciplinary or grievance hearings. At the moment this seems to be neither — but if managers try to impose a change to her location, she could raise a grievance and would then be entitled to have a rep with her in the meeting.

Acas describes grievance issues as including terms and conditions of employment, new working practices and organisational change (amongst other issues) — all of which could apply to your member’s situation.