Employers can have employment tribunal claims brought against them if they fail to observe this right.
Tribunals can order errant employers to pay employees up to two weeks' pay in compensation.
A week's pay is capped at 230 for these purposes. The revised ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures came into force on the same date and takes account of the right to representation. Employers should handle disciplinary matters in accordance with the Code. If an employee is dismissed after a disciplinary meeting at which he or she was not allowed representation, a tribunal could decide that the dismissal was unfair. Linnells Solicitors, Greyfriars Court, Paradise Square, Oxford.