Member

Currently, only a self-certified trade union representative or a colleague has the statutory right to accompany an employee to a hearing. Trade unions provide excellent support to their members through accompaniment, and the Liberal Democrats have consistently drawn attention to this during the passage of this Bill. However, it is also true that the law unnecessarily restricts the right of the vast majority of the UK’s employees—almost 78%—who have chosen not to be a member of a trade union. These workers are usually left to navigate proceedings alone or, worse, to be accompanied by untrained colleagues who may cause more damage than good.