Weingarten Rights

Weingarten rights are your right to have union representation in any investigatory meeting or meeting where you are questioned and discipline could result.

What is an investigatory meeting?

An investigatory interview is a meeting in which a Supervisor questions an employee to obtain information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his/her conduct. If an employee has a reasonable belief that discipline or discharge may result from what s/he says, the employee has the right to request Union representation. 

Examples of Meetings where Weingarten Rights should be asserted

• The purpose of the interview is to elicit facts from the employee to support disciplinary action that is probable or that is being considered, or to obtain admissions of misconduct or other evidence to support a disciplinary decision already made.
• The employee is required to explain his/her conduct, or defend it during the interview, or is compelled to answer questions or give evidence.
• The purpose of the interview is to investigate an employee's performance where discipline, demotion or other adverse consequences to the employee's job status or working conditions are a possible result.

How to assert your Weingarten Rights

Tell management you want to cooperate with the interview but you are asking for the meeting to be put on hold so that a union representative can attend the meeting with you. A representative can be a Steward or a Staff Representative from your Local office. 

Do not go into the meeting alone unless you are absolutely sure that no discipline will result. 

Be sure to call your Staff Representative or Shop Steward as soon as possible in advance of the meeting.