What Is a Grievance?
A grievance is a formal complaint raised by an employee when they believe they have been treated unfairly, their rights have been violated, or organisational policies, employment laws or contractual terms have not been followed. A grievance can relate to issues such as harassment, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, pay disputes, unfair scheduling, bullying, lack of resources or conflicts with management. Unlike informal concerns or everyday frustrations, a grievance follows a documented, structured procedure and requires acknowledgement, review and response from the organisation.
Why Grievances Matter in HR and Workplace Culture
From an HR perspective, grievances play a crucial role in maintaining fairness, transparency and accountability. They provide employees with a safe process to speak up when something has gone wrong, helping prevent escalation to legal claims, union actions or reputational damage. Organisations that manage grievances well typically see higher trust, improved retention and more psychologically safe workplaces. On the other hand, ignoring or mishandling grievances may result in disengagement, absenteeism, turnover or formal litigation. A fair and accessible grievance process signals that the organisation takes employee concerns seriously.
How to Manage and Resolve Grievances Effectively
A strong grievance process should be consistent, respectful and clearly defined. One commonly used approach includes:
- Submitting the grievance in writing – Employees present facts, dates, witnesses and the outcome they are seeking, ensuring the concern is formally documented.
- Conducting a fair and impartial investigation – HR or an appointed reviewer gathers evidence, interviews relevant parties and assesses whether policies or rights were breached.
- Providing a timely and transparent decision – The employee receives a written outcome with rationale, corrective action if applicable and information on appeal options.
- Following up and preventing recurrence – HR tracks patterns, reviews policies and implements improvements or training to prevent similar issues in the future.
In summary, when someone asks “What is a grievance?” the answer is that it is a formal employee complaint about unfair treatment or workplace conditions, and managing it effectively is essential for legal compliance, employee trust and a healthy organisational culture.
