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Use of advocacy for employees with a disability

Miriam

Has anyone encountered a request for advocacy for an employee with a cognitive disability?  The situation that has arisen is that an employee has a particular syndrome which makes higher executive functions more challenging and it can take time to understand issues like contractual changes.  Is it appropriate, with the employee’s consent, to involve the chosen advocate (family member) to support the employee by also. providing the documentation to them and allowing them to attend a consultation meeting?  

Thanks

Parents
  • I consider extending the definition of a companion in meetings where there is a statutory definition of a companion as well. I would take the definition in the Act as a minimum standard to meet and if someone has a disability or English is not their first language, then I would allow them to bring a family member or some other contact. I would, however, want the employee to tell me in advance of the meeting who they proposed to bring and why they were suitable to be a companion, and I would reserve the right to turn someone down if they didn't seem suitable.

    This does mean that you might have to spend a little time briefing the companion if it is a family member who is not used to workplace procedures, but it's worth it.
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  • I consider extending the definition of a companion in meetings where there is a statutory definition of a companion as well. I would take the definition in the Act as a minimum standard to meet and if someone has a disability or English is not their first language, then I would allow them to bring a family member or some other contact. I would, however, want the employee to tell me in advance of the meeting who they proposed to bring and why they were suitable to be a companion, and I would reserve the right to turn someone down if they didn't seem suitable.

    This does mean that you might have to spend a little time briefing the companion if it is a family member who is not used to workplace procedures, but it's worth it.
Children
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