Grievances (or concerns or complaints) can be about all sorts of issues. These could include:
- discrimination
- changes in the workplace
- bullying and harassment
- working relationships
- terms and conditions of employment
By law there should be a grievance policy which sets out the procedure you should follow in such situations. This can be found in either your contract of employment or a staff handbook.
The policy should follow the guidelines in the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. This sets out standards of fairness and reasonable behaviour that you and your employer are expected to follow. If you do not follow the Code, an Employment Tribunal may reduce any compensation it awards you. If your employer does not follow the Code, the tribunal may increase the compensation.