Grievance procedures

Updating author: Marc Meryon

On this page:
Summary
Future developments
Action point checklist
Key references
Questions and answers
Grievance procedures overview
Written statement of terms and conditions of employment
Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures
Drawing up and communicating a grievance procedure
The grievance procedure in operation
Sample grievance procedure
Special considerations
Collective grievances
Grievances lodged by ex-employees
A worker's right to be accompanied at grievance hearings

Summary

3.211

• An employment tribunal may increase or decrease awards of compensation by up to 25% in the event of an unreasonable failure to comply with the "Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures". (See 3.213 Grievance procedures overview)
• The written statement of terms and conditions of employment issued to every new employee must include certain information relating to the redress of grievances. (See 3.214 Written statement of terms and conditions of employment.)
• The "Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures" sets out guidance to assist employers, employees and their representatives deal with grievances in the workplace. (See 3.215 Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures)
• A grievance procedure should be set down in writing, and be specific and clear. (See 3.216 Drawing up and communicating a grievance procedure)
• The number of appeal stages contained in a grievance procedure will depend on the size of an organisation, its resources and management structure. (See 3.217 The grievance procedure in operation)
• The right to be accompanied at each of the formal stages of a grievance procedure extends to all workers and not just employees. (See 3.222 A worker's right to be accompanied at grievance hearings)

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Future developments

3.212 There are no future developments.

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Grievance procedures overview

3.213 Employers are expected to comply with the principles set out in the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures (PDF format, 1.58MB) (on the Acas website) when handling a grievance.