or have experience of the following?
A friend (J)ruins a small design consultancy and employs 12 people. One of her employees (X)has set up a rival business ( and been unsuccessfully - hopefully - trying to recruit others), but remains with the company while she drums up sufficient business to fly alone (J was tipped off and then checked with companies house.) J was devastated as has not encountered this before (has been in biz for 6 years and X was one of the first employees, joining after 10 months).
J had the required interview with X and has suspended her on full pay pending enquiry, and asked her to return next week for a formal meeting - quoting her statutory right to representation etc.
X is now refusing to come, claiming she was verbally intimidated at the meeting by J and is now stressed and traumatised by her treatment and refuses to meet J under any circumstances, and said she has been prescribled mediccation. J presumes the real reason is that X initially lied to J until J produced the CH info.
What can she do if X refuses to meet her? Stil keep paying her (which would suit X nicely...)
If anyone has used a good laywyer that does not charge the earth, any info gratefully received - many thanks.