One of the steps that is often forgotten when meeting an employee for a formal meeting, such as a verbal warning, written warning or to address a performance issue, is to give your employee 24 hours’ notice and the option to bring a support person before you meet them.
Now, in some circumstances, like a verbal warning, this may sound extreme. However, it is good process and acting in good faith to give your employee every opportunity to give their feedback and comment before you take any formal action. By following this simple process, you will not only follow good HR process but mitigate the risk of a grievance.