Grievance Procedure: What is the purpose?

Grievance policy and procedure guide Employers and employees to navigate and resolve issues in the workplace in a transparent and fair way. We have prepared a step-by-step guide on how to handles grievances, and the importance of having policies and procedures in place.

The purpose of a grievance policy provides staff with a readily accessible procedure for addressing problems or concerns they may have regarding their work, management, or another member of the team.  This grievance policy also ensures that staff may formally raise a grievance as regards any decision or action taken by this organisation, also allowing staff to make management formally aware of situations where they feel that management is not following the policies and procedures or applying it fairly to employees. Grievances might arise from different issues regarding the working environment:

• Interpretation of conditions of employment
• Pay and benefits
• Changing work practices
• Alleged discrimination, bullying or harassment
• Health & safety issues
• Promotion and grading
• Issues with fellow employees

When people work together, there will inevitably be situations where misunderstandings, problems or concerns need to be resolved. It is the policy of this organisation that a culture of good communications, openness and willingness to co-operate and listen will exist. Therefore, it is encouraged that most of these issues or misunderstandings can be if efficiently addressed informally. However, where such issues are unresolved, they may become grievances. Consequently, employees are encouraged to seek resolution of a problem by utilising the grievance process.

This is encouraged as your first effort to solve a problem. An Open-Door Philosophy, all employees are encouraged to reach out to management for advice or information. It ensures that questions and concerns can be discussed and where possible, resolved quickly to the satisfaction of all concerned.

• Staff are encouraged to approach their Manager in the first instance to arrange a meeting to discuss and attempt to resolve. They will be requested to set out their grievance in writing
• The member of staff may be accompanied by a colleague of their choice at the meeting
• There must be a discussion of the issues giving a reasonable timeframe for resolution
• If the employee is dissatisfied with the outcome, they may appeal it to higher management

To sum up, if your Company’s policies and procedures are in place. It can reflect in less or non further legal issues.

Dealing with Grievances can be challenging. We can help you to develop, handle, and guarantee compliance with the grievance policies & procedures.

Learn more about our HR services here.

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