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Is there a right to counsel in internal human-resources (HR) company investigations?

Generally, no.

Unless there is a written employment-contractual- or union collective-bargaining agreement-established right to counsel, there is no default state-law right in California or Ohio, or federal-constitution right, to counsel for an internal corporate investigation.

If you have counsel, corporate counsel may be ethically prohibited from having direct or indirect contact with you on the subject matter, except through your counsel. But your refusal to cooperate may result in your termination.


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Employment DiscriminationEmployment RetaliationInternal InvestigationsConstructive DischargeFirst Amendment RetaliationCalifornia's Bane Act: Protecting Your Civil Rights from Threats and CoercionFree Speech for California Public Employees: Where the Line Is DrawnCalifornia Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): What It Means for You

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