Right to Representation at Consultation Meeting (family members)

I’ve been told by my company that I will be made redundant. However, it has become clear that they actually in fact intend to replace me with the boss’s daughter (which was mistakenly admitted to me by two members of staff) as soon as I leave. They have now back-tracked everything that has been said and now told me this lady will merely be sitting at my desk but not doing my job, im 100% sure this is not at all true. They keep lying to me and changing what they say. My 2nd consultation meeting is being held this Friday and I have asked for my aunt who has some experience in these matters to attend this meeting with me but they have said this is not allowed and I can only bring a trade union rep (which they know I don’t have) or a colleague from within the company (but surely if my issues are with the company bringing someone along who has the companies interest at heart seems fully unfair). Can anyone advise me of what I should do? I will be bringing this to an employment tribunal as I have also faced major issues of racial discrimination and abuse during my time here and I feel certain this farcical “redundancy” has come about as a result of me filing grievances about my poor treatment. Please help if you can. Thank you.

Thank you for your message, although I am sorry to hear about your situation at work.

In answer to your question about the right to be accompanied at your consultation meeting.

As you are aware, you have the right to be accompanied at the meeting. In accordance with employment law, the right is to be accompanied by a fellow worker or trade union official. Unfortunately you do not have any rights to be accompanied by family members, friends etc.

Nevertheless, employers sometimes extend the right to include representation or accompaniment by spouses, partners, carers, or friends. They are not required to offer this by law and would be at the discretion of the employer. This may be outlined in your contract or local agreement if applicable.

I'm afraid there is not much you can do if your employer not permitted your Aunt to attend the meeting.

I hope this advice has helped. If you need any further help, please don't hesitate to return to the forum.

Perhaps it may be a good idea to join a union so that they may join me at the meeting. I just dont want to attend alone as my company keep telling me different things and changing the grounds for the redundancy. If so, how could i go about this? Does it cost money? and how quickly could it all be implemented as my consultancy meeting will be held within the next week. thank you.

Thank you for your reply.

There are obvious benefits to representation at the meeting by a Union representative. Do you have a TU at your organisation?

You may find the link below helpful if not:

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/unionfinder/

I hope this helps.