Going to a friend's disciplinary-tips?

[monkeysmama]

I am going to a friend's disciplinary on Friday and just want to check what her rights are / what I should do.

Long story but she works for the company I used to (construction) She has significant issues with her boss (they were good friends, my friend knows very compromising info about her boss) who is now quite blatantly bullying her. She was set some key deliverables 6 months ago and didn't deliver them all due to external issues. This was recognised (after some effort) by the management team and so she was given another 3 months to deliver. She has delivered some of the things but not all of them - the ones that involved the boss haven't been delivered and all the others have. She asked of for a meeting with her boss to discuss them and was sent an email from the boss cc-ed to he other 7 team members saying that she had no intention of attending a meeting with her when all she'd do was blame other staff members instead of taking responsibility for her own ineptitude .

The past 6 months coincide with the failure of her marriage & sale of her house (which her boss and team know about). She is using the Company's counselling service and has been prescribed anti depressants by her GP.

She is off sick today and is in a dire state of stress. She logged on to her email to find the email asking her to come to the disciplinary (she knew it was coming but not when and it isn't with her boss). They have sent the formal letter to her marital home despite her having told them 2 months ago that she' moved and her pay slips going to her new address.

She is at a very low point and I couldn't say not to going with her. What should I do at the disciplinary?

TIA.

[TheVisitor]

All you can do really is bear witness to what is said. She does, however, need to get clear advice on what to do. ACAS would be a start.

[hairylights]

I believe she has the legal right to a union rep or colleague as a witness (but not an advocate), but not a friend if the friend is neither of those things.

[flowery]

Are you certain she is allowed to bring you? As hairy said, she can bring a union rep or a colleague so if you are currently neither of those you need to be sure she's got permission to bring you.

In terms of your role, you can't answer questions, but you can make a statement on her behalf if she wants you to, and can ask questions yourself as well. Other than that really I would suggest familiarising yourself with your friend's case, helping her prepare in terms of listing points/questions to raise and just being supportive. It would also be a very good idea if you take detailed notes through the process so your friend doesn't have to worry about writing things down.