Grievance Handling Policy Template

Did you know these facts about Grievance Handling?

• Grievances can arise regarding a business process, practice, or an employee and may affect productivity, workplace culture and, at times, the reputation of an organisation.
• A grievance handling policy is an official document that clearly defines how a company’s employees can report grievances and what steps will be taken to resolve them.
• Grievance handling is about resolving disputes or complaints in both informal and formal ways.

Grievance Handling Policy overview

This grievance handling policy covers what grievance handling is and provides guidelines for the professional standards required within your organisation. It deals with the standard procedures to be followed in case of grievances and the responsibility of employees working at every level in your organisation.

This grievance handling policy template can be adapted to meet the specific needs of your organisation. You can change as little or as much of the content as you like. Some sections may be governed by state and federal legislation. It is important that you seek your own HR or legal advice, maintain this policy as legislation changes and adjust it to meet your requirements.

Target audience

This grievance-handling workplace policy template is suitable for all your employees, contractors, and volunteers. Once you have adjusted the grievance handling policy template to meet the specific requirements of your organisation, you can deliver it to new starters at induction and as refresher training on a regular basis.

Topics covered

The following topics are covered in this grievance-handling policy:

• Defining grievances
• Responsibilities of managers/supervisors
• Responsibilities of employees
• Responsibilities of HR
• Resolving grievances
• Informal grievance resolution
• Formal grievance resolution

Duration

This grievance-handling policy will take approximately five minutes to complete.

Learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes will be achieved upon completion of this grievance-handling policy:

• Understand the professional standards of behaviour that are expected.
• Recognise the types of behaviour that constitute acting with integrity and respectfully to others.
• Understand that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace.
• Recognise personal responsibility to comply with this grievance handling policy.
• Know how to report and handle grievances.
• Acknowledge that the grievance handling policy does not cover every possible event or action and that caution and common sense are required.

Business outcomes

Once all employees, contractors and volunteers have completed your grievance handling policy, the following business outcomes will be achieved for your organisation:

• Reduce the incidents of unprofessional conduct in your workplace.
• Mitigate the risk of legal liability associated with unlawful grievance handling.
• Protect your reputation from the damage caused by incidents of poorly managed complaints.
• Present a vision for professional standards in your workplace.
• Increase engagement by supporting a workplace culture that treats people fairly and with respect.