Although it's not a statutory requirement to do so, there are some very good reasons why employers should allow interviewees to be accompanied to an investigation meeting into a disciplinary or grievance matter.
Some employers include such provisions contractually as part of their disciplinary and grievance policy in recognition of the value companions can add to the investigation process.
Employees may also have a contractual right to be accompanied if it would otherwise leave them unfairly disadvantaged; or as a reasonable access requirement for a disabled employee under the Equality act 2010.
Employers who don't allow employees to bring a companion should be careful that their investigation meeting doesn't become something that ends in a warning or sanction. As such, the meeting could be viewed as a formal disciplinary hearing, for which employees do have a statutory right to be accompanied.
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