Disciplinary and grievance hearings: EAT reiterates that employers should not veto employee's choice of companion

Roberts v GB Oils Ltd EAT/0177/13

discipline and grievance procedures | right to be accompanied | choice of companion

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held for the second time in 2013 that there is no requirement for an employee's request to be accompanied by a particular companion to a disciplinary or grievance hearing to be reasonable, provided the chosen person meets the definition of a companion in the Employment Relations Act 1999.