Both the complainant and the person against whom the complaint has been made may be accompanied to any meeting by a companion, who should be either a trade union representative or a work colleague. The companion will be required to maintain appropriate confidentiality.
The companion will be allowed to address the meeting, to put and sum up the member of staff’s case, respond on behalf of the member of staff to any views expressed at the meeting and confer with the member of staff during the meeting. The companion does not, however, have the right to answer questions on the member of staff’s behalf, address the hearing if the member of staff does not wish it or prevent the employer from explaining their case.