If you are unhappy with something that is happening at work, whether due to your employer’s actions or another staff member, your first step would normally be to raise a grievance. Grievances can be raised informally or formally using your employer’s grievance procedure. Normally you would try to resolve issues on an informal basis, but sometimes the matter may be serious enough to mean that a formal grievance is the appropriate course of action.
What Types of Grievances Are There?
Examples of possible situations that may encourage you to raise a grievance include;
- Being subject to harassment from a colleague or your boss
- An amendment to your contract that you are unhappy about
- Being requested to take on a new responsibility as part of your job that you feel is not in line with your existing job
- An issue with your salary or terms and conditions
- Poor working conditions, ranging from being undermined to being obliged to undertake tasks that you believe to be unsafe or inappropriate in any way
- An issue with disability discrimination and being unfairly performance managed
How Do I Raise a Workplace Grievance?
While there is no formal legal process for raising a grievance, both parties to the employment relationship should comply with the ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) Code of Practice. This code of practice encompasses a number of guidelines that should be adhered to by employer and employee alike, so as to ensure the employee grievance procedure is handled fairly and professionally.
If both you and your employer are unable to achieve a resolution following your grievance, then you may consider taking your claim to an Employment Tribunal (it should be noted that any compensation you may receive could be adjusted by up to 25% based on adherence to the ACAS Code of Practice.)
How can Gorvins help?
We can provide expert guidance and legal advice on:
- Whether you should follow a grievance process
- Drafting of your grievance complaint
- Advising on any grievance appeal
- Advising on any without prejudice discussions that may arise as a result of your grievance and any subsequent settlement agreement
- Advising on any Employment Tribunal claim you may have
With extensive experience in advising on grievances, you can trust that you are in the best hands for achieving the desired outcome, whether that is a settlement, resolution of your grievance or bringing an Employment Tribunal claims. Once we have all the relevant information from you, we can assess the best way forward for you and advise on how to best protect yourself.
Contact our employment lawyers today
To discuss any grievance you may have or to find out more information about how we can help, please contact our employment team today on 0161 930 5151 or send us an e-mail to employmentteam@gorvins.com.
Alternatively, you can contact us using our online form.
