Frequently asked questions
1 Why is the registration body still investigating my case? Doesn't it already have all the documents from my employer?2 Why should I attend a hearing?
3 Why do you want to obtain more information about my case? Doesn't the registration body know all about my case already?
4 Why do I have to write another statement for the hearing? I already wrote one when the registration body told me about the allegations.
1 Why is the registration body still investigating my case? Doesn't it already have all the documents from my employer?
The registration body may use information provided by your employer and/or another complainant to support their case against you. The registration body may also discover and investigate incidents which your employer hasn't pursued, to make allegations against you. The registration body may not have found sufficient evidence to support the allegations against you and therefore investigate the matter further.
2 Why should I attend a hearing?
UNISON believes it would usually give you a greater chance of a better outcome. As you know, hearing someone talk about what happened can have a bigger impact than reading about it in a document.
If there is a hearing of your case and you attend to give evidence, the registration body would have the opportunity see and hear you give your account of what occurred. UNISON would be able to cross-examine the registration body's witnesses about their version of events.
The registration body's panel will decide on the balance of probabilities, who to believe, based on hearing you and the witnesses give evidence as well as reading any documentary evidence.
3 Why do you want to obtain more information about my case? Doesn't the registration body know all about my case already?
The registration body gathers documents including witness statements to support the allegations against you.
UNISON's role in representing you is to help you gather documents and witness statements to support what you are claiming has happened
4 Why do I have to write another statement for the hearing? I already wrote one when the registration body told me about the allegations.
UNISON will help you draft the statement for your hearing. It's important to write another statement for the hearing because this is your chance to put forward all the evidence supporting your account of the allegations against you.
This statement will provide your response to the allegations. Your statement may also explain the mitigating circumstances for any admitted misconduct or lack of competence. Your statement will include any new evidence which UNISON and you have obtained to support your case.
It will also describe your employment history, where relevant, and will refer to any character references which you have obtained.
