Overview
Any member of the team may, at some time, have a problem or concern about their work, working conditions or relationships with other colleagues. If they raise a problem or concern with you and request that it be addressed, it becomes a grievance.
You must have a practice grievance procedure that is written simply and clearly and describes the process that you will follow. It should reassure your employees that you will adopt a consistent approach and strive to be fair and transparent. The procedure should be known and understood by all employees and be referred to in employee contracts.
Common issues that lead to grievances include: terms and conditions of employment; health and safety; work relations; bullying and harassment; new working practices; the working environment; and discrimination. If an employee raises a grievance about something that is not within your control – relationships with patients, for example – you should still take the matter seriously, investigate the issue and decide if any action is needed.