Union

[Jammylou]

Can you refuse, as a line manager to attend meetings with Union reps present.
I have one who is being extremely aggressive towards me over a staff member I'm putting through a process. Staff member not being honest and Union rep believes everything he says.
I feel totally unprotected.
Have support of line manager and HR and even they concede she is acting aggressively. She has issues with all management apparently.
HR advise its not a good idea to refuse but I feel I myself am being unfairly treated and do not want to keep putting up with personal attacks. Line Manager and HR have backed me saying I've followed all processes correctly.
Where do I stand.

As your HR say, it is not a good idea to refuse.

If the meetings are disciplinary or related to a grievance, the employee has the legal right to be accompanied by a colleague or a trade union representative. You cannot refuse the employee's choice of companion. If you do, the employee could take your employer to tribunal. Note that a meeting about the employee's performance or absences from work may be classed as disciplinary.

Can you not have a member of the HR team in with you? We can (civil service) and it might make the union rep back off a bit if they have an independent witness?