3. Go to your consultation or hearing

Consultations

A consultation is not like being in court.

At a consultation, you and your employer meet with a Vice-Chair. If you have a lawyer or paralegal, they should go with you.

The Vice-Chair will ask you for evidence on specific issues. You should have your documents with you for the consultation but you don't usually need witnesses.

The Vice-Chair leads the consultation. You should answer their questions honestly. Try to explain what happened. Give your evidence calmly and clearly.

Hearings

Hearings have more rules than consultations. At the hearing, you have to want the Vice-Chair to understand what your complaint is and what decision you want them to make. So you must clearly explain what happened and give evidence.

You should bring all of your documents and witnesses to the hearing.

Remember to stay calm and be respectful to the Vice-Chair. And make sure you talk about all the important facts.

Opening statement

At the start of the hearing, you make a short opening statement. This statement is a short summary of what happened and what you want. It should only be a few minutes long.

When you make a statement, speak directly to the Vice-Chair. If the hearing is in-person, stand up while you give your statement.

Your employer also makes an opening statement.

Witnesses testify

When the opening statements are finished, you and your witnesses give evidence. This is called “testifying”. You can ask your witnesses questions. And your employer and the Vice-Chair can ask them questions too.

You should show the Vice-Chair any documents that help prove what happened.

If your employer brings witnesses, you can ask them questions too.

Closing statement

After you and your employer give your evidence, you give a closing statement. Use your closing statement to give the main points about what happened and what you want. Your employer also makes a closing statement.