Grievance meeting, please help

[MerlinFromCamelot]

Hi,

I have been asked by a colleague to sit in at her grievance meeting. I used to work at the same site as she did but decided early on that the centre was not for me and managed to get hours at another site.

My colleague has now been told she is not getting any more hours at this place for allegedly swearing at the customer service manager, which I find hard to believe as I have never heard a rude word come out of her mouth but that is beside the point.

When she was told that she had no more hours which I guess they can do as she is on "zero hours" she tried another site who agreed to give her work until the GM of the problem site called them and all of a sudden the new site seems to have changed their mind about giving her work.

She has now requested a grievance meeting and asked me to come with her for support. Would much prefer not to do this to be honest.

I have no clue what I'm supposed to do at this meeting. I was going to go in armed with note pad but no idea what is expected of me.
Please help.

[flowery]

Taking notes is good, other than that there's no need for you to get involved at all. You don't need to say anything or respond to anything.

You should also bear in mind that it's entirely up to you whether you do this or not.

[MerlinFromCamelot]

Agreed to sitting in because she was in floods of tears when she phoned me. I always thought she was very helpful at work and a nice person so sort if feel obliged to go. Trouble is that I have absolutely no clue what is expected of me. I feel for her and hope she gets a good outcome but I doubt it. This GM has had 3 grievances raised against her in the last 2 years and clearly seems to get away with it. Some people you just can't do anything about.

Thanks

[Pasithea]

You just need to be an independent witness. . Notes are a very very good idea.

[flowery]

No, she's not there as an independent witness. She is there to support the colleague making a grievance, and is not expected to either be independent or act as a witness to anything.

[MerlinFromCamelot]

Thank you for all your advice, very much appreciated.

I think notes is the way to go.

[Tobagostreet]

In grievance meetings I've held, the role of the companion is to support the employee. This means that you can (and should) take notes, ask for clarity on any points raised (by your friend or by the company and in some cases, make a representation for them (like reading out a statement on how this has affected them, etc).

You cannot answer any questions on behalf of your friend. She must do this herself.

You can ask for an adjournment in the meeting if you feel your friend would benefit from. Quick break to compose herself or to get some private advice from you.

It's a good thing to support her. Invaluable to most people who raise grievances. You should not be treated any differently for having attended the meeting.