Know Your Rights: What to do when your supervisor asks for a meeting
When your supervisor calls you into a meeting--with or without prior notice--proper action can lead to more positive outcomes. Articles 2.6 and 2.7 of your union contract grants stewards and employees reasonable time off for meetings and to confer on representational issues in the workplace.If you are called into a meeting:
- Ask what the meeting is about and if there is anything you can do to prepare.
- Always ask for representation. "If this discussion/meeting could in any way lead to my being disciplined, terminated, or cause an effect on my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my Union Representative be present at this time." If you do not have representation at the meeting, contact your steward or a Local 1000 staff person immediately after the meeting.
- Do not refuse to attend the meeting, and do not leave the meeting until it is over.
- Take notes.
- Answer questions honestly, and if appropriate to the question, with a "yes", "no", "I do not know", "I do not recall" or "I'll have to check on that and get back to you." If you feel uncomfortable about some of the questions, you can ask that you be allowed to write them down and answer after you have had a chance to confer with the Union.
- If the meeting is recorded, ask for copies of the tape to be provided within 24 hours.
- You have the right to request to record the meeting with your own recording device. Should management refuse to allow you representation, you should request to record management's denial of your right to representation. You may not record the meeting secretly, and if management refuses to allow you to record and directs the meeting to proceed, you must continue the meeting.
- If the meeting is investigatory in nature, ask for a date when they expect to complete the investigation.
- Ask for time off pursuant to Article 2.7 for all future meetings with Local 1000 stewards and/or staff.
How to take action
Contact your Local 1000 steward if you feel your rights have been violated. Your steward will work with you and management to determine the best course of action, up to and including filing a grievance. For more information regarding Article 2--Employee Time Off For Representation, review your contract here.
