Thanks didlaw for this update. At vivoHR we think this ruling by the EAT & the decision by ACAS to update their Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure Code Of Practice will potentially make dealing with disciplinary and grievance matters more difficult for an employer.
The soon to be removed concept of reasonableness in agreeing who could be an employee’s companion at a disciplinary or grievance hearing seems…well quite reasonable to be honest!
Employees will, it seems, now be given the right to be accompanied by any colleague they choose despite practicalities, cost or even any potential that their presence could be prejudicial to the hearing.
We’ll await the ACAS guidance with interest and we’ll keep our clients updated.
http://www.didlaw.com/blog/general/acas-to-amend-code-of-practice-on-disciplinary-and-grievance-procedures/