Advice regarding disciplinary hearing

[Sparklybutold]

Posted here for traffic. Tomorrow I'll be supporting someone in a disciplinary. I need to be mindful of what I say but know there's some impressive heads here. My colleague has been accused of something serious however she states it did not happen. There has been an ongoing issue with toxicity in the work place which has included lying, with the insinuation that the events reported have been fabricated.

Any advice regarding tomorrows hearing?

Your job is to silently support. You are not there to speak on their behalf, but to be moral support, and maybe some practical things like asking for a break if you think they need one. That’s it.

Are you there in a supportive capacity? Or to give evidence for your colleague?
If you are asked questions, tell the truth.

@HermioneWeasley

From what I've read I can talk on my colleagues behalf if they request it. But otherwise - yes, I'll just be there as moral support.

@Ludo19

Support

Take notes of everything said as the person you are supporting is unlikely to remember all of the conversation, especially if they are stressed / on edge about the disciplinary meeting.

Advise you friend to demand evidence.
Verified and signed evidence.
Witness and signed wiitness testimony
Get help from acass.
Does she have any vulnerabilities? Mental health issues, even temporary counts as disability.
Protected characteristics?

For you though, write everything down and who said, when.
Record, document and retain. Can you request to record the meeting on your phone?
Good luck

Not so - from ACAS

The employee's companion should be allowed to:

set out the employee's case
respond for the employee to any comments or points made at the meeting
talk with the employee during the hearing
take notes
sum up the employee's case at the end of the hearing
The employer may agree to allow the companion to answer questions on behalf of the employee. But this is not a legal requirement.

She should receive a copy of all the evidence before she goes into the meeting so that it's not a surprise.

www.acas.org.uk/disciplinary-procedure-step-by-step/step-4-the-disciplinary-hearing

This might give you an idea of what to expect. This is what is expected and if bits are missed they can be used in an appeal as an unfair decision.

Bloody knew I'd get some awesome advice. Thankyou so much!

I hope it went well.