Grievances

Effectively managing a grievance can be far from straightforward and can take up considerable management time. Grievances should be dealt with in accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice, and our employment solicitors have a depth of experience guiding employers through the grievance minefield, minimising the risks of a claims.

If an employee has an issue at work, it may be that they first raise the issues informally. A grievance procedure is the mechanism in which an employee raises problem or complaint in a formal way. The ACAS Code of Practice sets out the steps an employer should take in dealing with a grievance. An employer should follow a full and fair grievance procedure at all times.

In a case in which an Employment Tribunal makes an award of compensation it has the power to increase compensation by up to 25% if it finds that there has been a failure to comply with the requirements of any relevant ACAS Code of Practice on the part of the employer. It may also decrease compensation by the same percentage amount if it finds an unreasonable failure to comply with a relevant Code by an employee.

Our expert employment solicitors based in Essex and London are on hand to advise you how best to deal with grievance matters. We can help your business understand the options, how to respond to a formal grievance, the carrying out of a grievance meeting and subsequent investigation, deciding the outcome and what may follow after the grievance procedure. We also have experience in being instructed as an independent party to deal with a grievance on behalf of a client.

In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to offer a settlement agreement at the outset of or during a grievance process. These agreements are commonly used as a method to bring an end to the employment relationship; it is a record in writing of the terms of any settlement reached between the employer and employee.

If you require employment advice, then please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone to speak with a solicitor from our employment team, without obligation, or simply fill out our enquiry form and one of our specialist employment lawyers will contact you.

Employment Lawyers

Stephen Eccles

Partner

Charlotte Buck

Senior Associate

Alex Pearce

Senior Associate