Advice for Mandate members on grievances, complaints, investigations and disciplinaries

Grievance or Complaint
Advice for Dunnes Stores members if raising a grievance or making a complaint at work:
- Ensure that the grievance has been lodged in writing to management and keep a copy for your own records.
- Make sure to ask questions and know the facts before meeting management.
- Always ensure that a copy of the Dunnes Stores Grievance Procedure is to hand.
- Collect any paperwork or agreements relating to the issue.
- Advise members not to attend a meeting alone, bring your shop-steward or a colleague you trust.
- Always record the date, the venue, who was present, the time that the meeting started and the time it finished, what was discussed and what the outcome was.
- If you need to take a break request this, if this is refused note the refusal.
- Keep information that is disclosed confidential.
- Keep your Mandate Official updated on any developments. Always Keep any records you have in a safe secure place.
Investigation/Disciplinary Meetings
What to do if you are notified that you are to attend a meeting with your employer:
- Always find out what the meeting is about.
- ls it an Investigatory or a Disciplinary Meeting?
- Make sure you have a Shop Steward or a Witness with you.
- If there is no one available try to have the meeting rescheduled.
- Make sure you have a colleague/witness that will take notes of the meeting (in a third-party case these notes are equally as relevant as managements notes)
- Make sure you understand exactly what allegations are being made or what is being investigated before giving any response.
- Request copies of any statements or other evidence (e.g., CCTV) that the company are relying on.
- Request a copy of the company policy and the relevant section the company are referring to.
- Request a copy of all the notes the company have taken at a meeting.
If as a result of an investigation meeting you are then invited to attend a disciplinary hearing all of the above will apply.
Make sure your Union Official is made aware of the meeting and the outcome.
Remember It is important to use the internal appeal process following the outcome of the Disciplinary hearing if you are not satisfied with the outcome, or feel the sanction is unfair or too severe.
Your Mandate Official will advise on Third Party Referral should this avenue be available and beneficial to the member.
Mandate contact details are available here.