Grievance Procedure

(Non-contractual policy, aligned with the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.)

Purpose

If you have a concern, problem, or complaint about your work, working conditions, or working relationships, we want to hear about it and resolve it as quickly and fairly as possible. This procedure tells you how to raise a grievance.

Informal Resolution

Many workplace concerns can be resolved informally. In the first instance, raise the matter with Mike Wood. Often a straightforward conversation is the quickest way to sort things out. If your grievance is about Mike Wood, you may raise it with an alternative manager or, if none is available, put it in writing and it will be dealt with by an external adviser.

Formal Grievance Procedure

If informal discussion does not resolve the matter, or if the issue is too serious for informal resolution, you may raise a formal grievance.

Step 1: Put It in Writing

Set out your grievance in writing (email is fine), addressed to Mike Wood. Include:

• What the problem or complaint is.
• Any relevant facts, dates, and names.
• What outcome you are looking for.

Step 2: Grievance Meeting

A grievance meeting will be arranged, normally within 10 working days of receiving your written grievance. At the meeting:

• You will have the opportunity to explain your grievance in full.
• You may be accompanied by a work colleague or trade union representative.
• The company may ask questions to understand the issue.
• The meeting may be adjourned if further investigation is needed.

Step 3: Decision

After the meeting (and any further investigation), the company will write to you with its decision, normally within 10 working days. The letter will set out:

• The company’s findings.
• Any action the company will take.
• Your right of appeal.

Step 4: Appeal

If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may appeal in writing within 5 working days of receiving the decision, stating why you are dissatisfied. An appeal meeting will be arranged, normally within 10 working days. Where possible, it will be heard by someone not involved in the original decision.

The outcome of the appeal will be confirmed in writing within 5 working days. The appeal decision is final.

Overlap with Disciplinary Procedure

If you raise a grievance during a disciplinary process, the disciplinary procedure may be temporarily suspended while the grievance is dealt with, if the grievance is related to the disciplinary case. If the two are unrelated, both processes may run concurrently.