Handling employee grievances and workplace investigations requires care, consistency, and compliance with employment law. Poorly managed investigations can lead to employee dissatisfaction, increased employee turnover, and potential employment tribunal claims. Our grievances solicitors support employers by guiding them through investigations and grievance processes to ensure fairness, compliance and effective resolution.
Why Proper Investigations and Grievance Handling Matters
Employers have a legal duty to address grievances fairly and without unreasonable delay. Failing to investigate properly or mishandling complaints can lead to:
- Employment tribunal claims
- Loss of trust and morale
- Reputational damage
A structured approach, supported by expert guidance, mitigates risk and demonstrates that the employer takes workplace issues seriously.
Employer Obligations
When a grievance arises, employers are obliged to:
- Listen and take complaints seriously, every grievance must be acknowledged promptly.
- Follow a fair process, to ensure employees understand how the grievance will be handled.
- Investigate thoroughly to gather relevant evidence, speak to witnesses, and document findings.
- Act consistently, similar grievances should be handled in a consistent manner.
- Refer to policies, use grievance and disciplinary policies compliant with the ACAS Code of Practice as the framework.
Failing to follow a fair process in line with the ACAS Code of Practice may result in tribunal compensation uplifts of up to 25%.
If you need to manage a grievance call 0330 107 0106 or request a free call back to speak with our grievance lawyers.