You can ask a work colleague, friend, family member, industrial representative (union officer), or lawyer to be your employee support person.
Make sure your support person does not have a conflict of interest. For example, if a colleague is required as a witness in the investigation, it’s a conflict of interest for them to be your support person. Your supervisor or manager will usually have a conflict of interest between supporting you and their duty to the organisation as a manager.
Your agency may ask you to find a different support person if they think there is a conflict of interest. They must explain why they think this is the case.
Industrial representative
If you’re a member of a union, you can ask a union officer to support you. A union officer will support your interests in line with industrial legislation and their union rules.
They may take a more active role in the meeting. They might ask clarifying questions, prompt you, or give you advice to ensure the process is fair and adheres to industrial legislation.