The right to be accompanied - Our feature in this issue examines the new right conferred on workers broadly defined to be accompanied in disciplinary and grievance hearings by a "companion", who may be either a trade union official (whether a lay official or employed by the union) or a work colleague. The operative provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999 came into force on 4 September 2000, and apply where a "worker" is "required or invited" by his or her employer to attend a disciplinary or grievance hearing, and "reasonably requests" to be accompanied. They are supported by a fully revised ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures, which must be taken into account by employment tribunals in relevant proceedings. We consider, amongst other things, the categories of workers covered; the definition of disciplinarv and grievance hearings; the choice and role of companions; tribunal complaints about failures to permit accompaniment; and the protection against victimisation and dismissal afforded to both workers subject to a hearing and companions (whether or not employed by the same employer).