Should I have union rep in absence review meeting?

[VanityKase]

I am a secondary school teacher and I’ve been off work for 6 months with Post Natal Depression
I have an absence review meeting coming up to discuss phased return.

Do I need a union rep present?

HR have been very supportive and wanted me to finish a course of therapy before I even discussed a phased return. I feel ready to go back but have a little worry that without union rep present I might be doing something wrong. I am well perceived by the school & have had a good working relationship with those that will be present. My gut instinct is that I don’t need a union rep present (as I don’t feel like I’ve done anything wrong) but understand having such a huge amount of time off does come with its own set of protocols.

any advice?

I should also add that despite teaching for 15 years I am totally ignorant as to what these meetings are like.

I'm sorry to hear you have had such a tough time - I hope that you are starting to feel better 💐

I supported a colleague last year who had some absence reviews (for very different reasons to yours but still very valid). I went as a friendly support but we always took a union rep and I would strongly advise you to do the same.

Sometimes, just having another person their to listen to what is being said is good.

Best of luck with it!

Yeas I would advise having a union rep.
Glad you are taking care of yourself.

Having a union rep there can change the tone of the meeting. From a supportive one to potentially a more contentious one in my experience

Thank you for all your responses.

i am worried about making the meeting potentially more contentious but also have concern as my cognition has been rather impaired by my medication so perhaps having another colleague present will help.

I think having a supportive colleague would be the better option rather than specifically a union rep. It is certainly a reasonable request given your concerns about the meds you are on.