A grievant and the grievant's representative shall be given reasonable time during work to investigate and process the grievance and to participate at any conference or hearing relating to the grievance. An employee shall be granted release time from the employee's normal work schedule to attend a grievance conference or hearing as a witness. Expenses incurred in connection with attendance by an employee at grievance conferences or hearings, whether as a grievant, as a grievant's representative, or as a witness, shall be borne by that employee's unit.