If your manager wants to have a chat with you about something, they absolutely have that right. Depending on the circumstances, you have the right to have a union rep present.

“Members have a right to union representation when the conversation is investigatory, disciplinary or might lead to discipline,” said GSU staff rep Donna Driediger. “If you are in a meeting with your manager and it seems like the conversation is lending itself to you being investigated, you are within your rights to ask that the meeting be reconvened once you are able to secure union representation.”

Your staff reps are here to ensure your rights are protected through every step of the process.

Getting called into the manager’s office and having to meet more people than just your manager can be intimidating. It’s easy to either clam up and not speak or to get very defensive. Having your union representative with you can help balance the power in these discussions. Having your representative with you can also help give a voice to the member and ensure that questions being asked are as objective as possible.

If your manager or HR reaches out to you to have a conversation they should remind you that you have the right to have your union representative present.

If they do not offer, be sure to inform them that you want one present and that the meeting will have to wait until the representative can be brought in, either in person or via phone.

GSU services are provided to you and paid for by your union dues. There is never an additional charge for assisting you.