suspension and meetings

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

If a person is suspended from work due to investigation of an incident, what sort of notice should the employer give of meetings regarding the issue?

[flowery]

Depends what kind of meeting and what their role in the incident is. If it's an investigatory meeting, then bearing in mind they are sat at home doing nothing being paid, they shouldn't need much notice at all. If it's a disciplinary hearing and they need time to prepare a defence and organise representation, a bit longer would be usual.

Who are you in this scenario?

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

thanks for your time flowery. I am a friend of a person in this situation. the investigation was held last week and the result should be given this week. If it goes to disciplinary how much notice should be given for the meeting? person has been suspended 4 weeks so far. id rather not say what the incident involved.

[flowery]

Well it largely depends on normal practice at that place of work. You'd expect usually at least a couple of days. If he/she has been off 4 weeks already I wouldn't expect much time to be needed for preparation, but if he/she needs more than they give, or his/her chosen representative is unavailable, he/she can ask for a delay. Obviously it might also depend on others involved- if there are lots of managers/witnesses etc who need to attend, obviously getting a date they are all available might necessitate a bit of a delay.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

thanks for your reply, that's really helpful, I will pass that along.

[notkatemiddleton]

Depends on company disciplinary policy as the legislation doesn't specify exactly and Acas provides 'guidelines'.

My firm says no notice for investigations (even if suspended if you are called in whilst you would normally be working, you would be expected to come in straight away) and 48 hours (not including weekends) for disciplinary