Supporting a member during an investigation

The TUC suggests that reps can help a member in several ways, for example:


• providing support and reassurance;


• monitoring the investigation to make sure it is being conducted fairly;


• ensuring the member is told of any allegations before any investigation meeting, wherever possible in writing;


• encouraging the member to stay calm and to keep to the facts;


• assessing the possible case against the member;


• taking notes and using them to check the accuracy of the record from the investigation;


• carrying out a separate investigation to obtain evidence, identify any witnesses, check whether procedures have been followed correctly and so on, getting as complete a story as possible and exploring the background, including what led up to the events, and whether anything similar has happened in the past, either to the member or to others; and


• making sure the investigator has a full picture. It is important to ensure the investigator has access to all relevant information that might help the member’s case.