Whilst employing a team to grow your business is often vital, there can be times when difficulties arise with employees and action must be taken. Whether the employer or employee wishes to complain, a professionally drafted Grievance Procedure can save time and, if followed correctly, can be crucial in defending any subsequent legal proceedings by the employee.

What Does The Grievance Procedure Cover?
A Grievance Procedure can cover the procedure for disputes including:

• Terms of employment
• Pay
• Working conditions
• Problems with co-workers
• Discrimination
• Failure to comply with statutory employment rights

The Grievance Procedure must include a number of set steps to be followed, known as the “statutory minimum procedure”. The standard procedure should be followed and in some circumstances where employment has ceased, the modified procedure should be followed.

The procedure must usually be followed before an employee can consider taking any action in an Employment Tribunal unless the employee believes that by following it they will suffer harassment or violence. However, if they fail to follow it without these reasons being present and they do subsequently make a claim they may receive a reduced award.