Practical support

[ch 5: page 45]

A rep can provide practical support by:

• meeting the member early on to listen to their side of the story, taking detailed notes;

• providing a reassuring presence, but with no guarantees about the outcome;

• explaining the timescale, how the relevant procedures work, the options and the support available;

• encouraging the member to be honest throughout. This is very important. If the member lies about any aspect of their case, an employer will be much less likely to believe their version of events;

• encouraging the member to stay calm, stick to the facts and avoid outbursts of emotion, personal or slanderous attacks on the complainant, or irrelevant comments about their personal life or relationships, either in person or via social media;

• emphasising the importance of treating the matter confidentially and with sensitivity. A breach of confidence, for example, gossiping to colleagues about the allegations, is both inappropriate and can lead to disciplinary action for breach of confidence;

• encouraging the member to make a careful note of their own account, to consider who might be prepared to provide witness evidence in support and how best to try to collect that evidence.