Hi.

Your advice please.

I received a solicitors letter this week ref an employee who is making a claim backed by his union for damages for an accident at work he claims happened in July 2009.

He is claiming that he suffered a hernia at work while lifting a load, I am unaware of any accident as it wasn’t reported or recorded at the time, however later in 2009 the employee took 2 weeks holiday for a hernia operation, at which point again, no mention of any accident at work was made.

I have invited the employee to an investigation meeting which he is refusing to attend without his solicitor or union representative being present. I thought he only had the right to be accompanied if the matter was disciplinary or a grievance.

Your views would be appreciated.

385XZA