Can I record this meeting?

[Houseplantmad]

I’ve been asked to take notes at a meeting that is part of an investigation into an incident at work. The “accused” will be questioned and will have their union rep present. It is likely to go on for c.2 hours if not longer. While I am ok at taking notes I’ve never done a meeting of this duration and am worried that I may miss crucial parts so would like to record the meeting to aid transcription. Obviously I would ask all involved if this is ok but do I have the right to do it anyway please?

From my experience, it's pretty common to record meetings like this, for back up if nothing else so that you have evidence (to protect all parties) of what was actually said by who

You just need to make all parties aware that it's being recorded

You only have the right to do it if all parties are aware and in agreement.

If you don't feel able to manage the note taking then best to say so well in advance, it's not fair on the employee under investigation to potentially have an incomplete/ inaccurate record of the meeting.

Thanks both. @CorrBlimeyGG the person who was meant to do it tested positive yesterday so I’m a last minute replacement and the meeting is first thing Monday. Not ideal but was requested by the employee in question as a solution.

Often meetings like this are minuted and not recorded so things can be scrapped...

There is no "right" for an employee (which I assume you are) to make recordings in the workplace.

You need to ask your employer if they wish to record the meeting. Then the employer, if they do want this, needs to get the consent of all parties. Not you.

There are many reasons why employers do not record meetings and I always advise them not to. So they may well take the same view. It might even be mentioned in their policy.

Notes are just notes (but no, not the same as minutes at all, investigation meetings are not minuted!), no-one expects them to be verbatim. If you think you're getting behind, ask for a pause to catch up. If you feel you miss something, ask for it to be repeated. After a long explanation of something I will often say "let me read what I've written so you can let me know if I've missed anything you said" or something like that.

Usually the person gets to read the notes and agree to them at the end of the meeting.

@workoholic

Often meetings like this are minuted and not recorded so things can be scrapped...

Nonsense.

I've seen it happen. I have been the person to minute the meetings, then seen what HR do to them.

@workoholic this 100% happened in my redundancy meetings. I wasn't offered a representative either and wasn't aware I was entitled to one.

There are many reasons why employers do not record meetings and I always advise them not to
How would it disadvantage anyone to have a verbatim record of a meeting?

[quote girlmom21]@workoholic this 100% happened in my redundancy meetings. I wasn't offered a representative either and wasn't aware I was entitled to one. [/quote]
Sorry to hear - but I am not surprised.

Staff are just a number.
I hope you are OK now x

It would disadvantage employers who want to cover up their behaviour and not have a record of it.

@GreyhoundG1rl

There are many reasons why employers do not record meetings and I always advise them not to How would it disadvantage anyone to have a verbatim record of a meeting?

I didn't say it did.

[quote girlmom21]@workoholic this 100% happened in my redundancy meetings. I wasn't offered a representative either and wasn't aware I was entitled to one. [/quote]
It depends what stage you're at whether you're entitled to a companion (not a representative, unless you have a union agreement that includes that right.

I didn't say it did.
That's true, you absolutely didn't... 🤷🏻‍♀️ I take it you don't want to answer the question, then? 😂