- Schedule and hold meetings requested by the employee and union representative within five days, if possible.
- Clarify the purpose of a meeting before scheduling it.
- Allow enough time for discussion of issues raised by you or the employee.
- Provide a location free of interruptions.
- Identify the appropriate participants.
- Concentrate on the issues/objectives of the meeting.
- Allow sufficient latitude for a thorough discussion of the issues, but not for personal attacks or abuse.
- Maintain self-control.
- Know your own authority to make commitments on behalf of your department.
- Don't make commitments if you are not yet ready to do so.
- Summarize conclusions or agreements reached, if any.