Grievance procedure - Discipline at work

Our policy is to be a fair employer. If you believe that you have been treated unfairly then a grievance may be raised. You have a number of options as to the route you would like that grievance to take.

Option 1 Informal Grievance and Harassment

As far as practicable you are encouraged to raise an verbal informal grievance as set out in this section. You should approach your manager directly with the issue explaining your concerns. They will investigate the matter and verbally inform you of the outcome.

If you are concerned that your manager will not respond positively to your concerns you are free to choose another manager within the organisation (including the HR department) to raise the issue with. Where the issue that concerns you is one of harassment (sexual, racial, religious, bullying etc) of any kind you should feel free to informally approach any manager for advice and guidance as to how to proceed. That approach will be in total confidence between you and the manager you approach.

Option 2. Formal Grievance Procedure

If you feel you have suffered an injustice which cannot be informally addressed you should write to your manager setting out your concerns asking for the matter to be considered under the formal grievance procedure. Where the subject is some form of harassment you are free to approach any manager within the organisation.

Your manager will then invite you to a meeting to discuss the grievance. You are welcome to have another person with you at that meeting to help you present the facts. That person may either be a work colleague or a trade union official.

After the meeting your manager will inform you in writing of their decision as to their response to the grievance and notify you of the right of appeal against the decision if you are not satisfied with it.

If you decide to appeal against that decision you should inform your manager in writing within 48 hours. Where reasonably practicable the appeal will be held by another manager more senior than the original person hearing the grievance.

The appeal will take the course of a fresh hearing which again gives you or your representative the opportunity to represent the facts. The decision from the appeal will be given to you in writing and will be final.