Stage 2 of 8
How to raise
a grievance
If something goes wrong at work, the first step is often to try to resolve it with your employer, informally or through a formal grievance.
The first step is often to raise it with your employer, informally or formally.
£9.99/month · 14-day free trial · Card required to start trial · Cancel anytime
£9.99/month · 14-day free trial
A grievance is a formal written complaint to your employer. Many issues are resolved informally first, by talking to your manager or HR. If that doesn't work, or the issue is serious, a formal grievance creates a written record and starts your employer's grievance procedure.
A formal written complaint to your employer. Many issues are resolved informally first.
Route
How the internal process usually runs
- Raise informally
- Formal grievance
- Meeting
- Written outcome
- Appeal
- If unresolved: Acas early conciliation →
Not every dispute goes through every step. Some resolve informally; others move on to Acas with a clearer paper trail.
- 01
Raise informally
- 02
Formal grievance
- 03
Meeting
- 04
Written outcome
- 05
Appeal
- 06
- 01
Try to resolve it informally
Many issues can be resolved by raising them with your manager or HR. If that doesn't work, or the issue is too serious, a formal grievance is the next step.
- 02
Put your grievance in writing
Set out the facts: dates, incidents, the people involved and the impact on you. 'On 3 March, my manager said X in front of Y' is clearer than 'I've been treated unfairly'. This letter may be referred to at later stages.
- 03
Attend the grievance meeting
Your employer should arrange a meeting to discuss your grievance without unreasonable delay. You can ask to be accompanied by a colleague or a trade union representative.
- 04
Get the outcome, and appeal if needed
Your employer should give you a written decision and let you appeal if you disagree with it.
- 05
Keep a record as you go
Note what was said at meetings and save letters and emails. Notes made at or near the time are the most useful.
Stage guidance is general information — not individual legal advice
Many issues can be resolved by raising them with your manager or HR. If that doesn't work, or the issue is too serious, a formal grievance is the next step.
Set out the facts: dates, incidents, the people involved and the impact on you. 'On 3 March, my manager said X in front of Y' is clearer than 'I've been treated unfairly'. This letter may be referred to at later stages.
Your employer should arrange a meeting to discuss your grievance without unreasonable delay. You can ask to be accompanied by a colleague or a trade union representative.
Your employer should give you a written decision and let you appeal if you disagree with it.
Note what was said at meetings and save letters and emails. Notes made at or near the time are the most useful.
Stage guidance is general information — not individual legal advice
It's not a strict legal requirement. But for many types of claim, if a tribunal finds that either side unreasonably failed to follow the Acas Code, it can adjust any award by up to 25%.
Start with the free assessment to see where you stand. Case Hub turns this stage into a checklist, from drafting your letter to the outcome, so you can see what is done and what is left.
See where you stand for free, then work through each step in Case Hub.
Checklist
Your grievance checklist
Raise it properly
- Decide whether a formal grievance is needed
- Draft a clear, fact-led grievance letter
- Submit it and keep proof of sending
- Prepare for the grievance meeting
Document what happens
- Save acknowledgements and invites
- Note what was said at meetings
- Get the written outcome on file
- Decide whether to appeal — or move to Acas
Raise it properly
- Decide whether a formal grievance is needed
- Draft a clear, fact-led grievance letter
- Submit it and keep proof of sending
- Prepare for the grievance meeting
Document what happens
- Save acknowledgements and invites
- Note what was said at meetings
- Get the written outcome on file
- Decide whether to appeal — or move to Acas
Raise it properly
- Decide whether a formal grievance is needed
- Draft a clear, fact-led grievance letter
- Submit it and keep proof of sending
- Prepare for the grievance meeting
Raise it properly
- Decide whether a formal grievance is needed
- Draft a clear, fact-led grievance letter
- Submit it and keep proof of sending
- Prepare for the grievance meeting
Work through your grievance step by step
£9.99/month · 14-day free trial · Card required to start trial · Cancel anytime · We never contact your employer