If you are called into an investigation meeting by your employer you should ask if this could result in discipline. If the answer is yes, you have the right to have a union representative present. 

If you request to be accompanied by a union representative and the employer refuses to grant your request, they do so at the risk of jeopardizing the integrity of their investigation. 

The benefit of having a union representative present during an investigative meeting or a disciplinary meeting is that the employee has an advocate and a witness present. 

“There have been many times when the employee has said something and the employer has taken it out of context or the wrong way,” said GSU staff rep Dale Markling. “Having a union representative present tends to lead a reduction in tension and create a more civil atmosphere. Employees report they have found meetings with a union representative present to be much more about fact finding and much less of an inquisition.”

If you have questions or you think you might require union representation, contact your GSU staff rep. Your inquiry is confidential and there is no additional charge for having a staff rep attend a meeting with you.