Formal Grievance Procedure Steps

Beginning step. An employee may begin at step one with an oral complaint announced to the immediate superior or to someone in the personnel or human resources department.

Intermediate steps. The number and complexity of the steps between the announcement of a complaint/grievance and its resolution are as diverse and complicated as the company. In sequence, typical intermediate steps may include:

Referral to a higher management level or third party when the immediate superior cannot resolve the grievance. Includes putting the grievance in writing if it has not been put in writing prior to referral. May include specific timeframes to "file" the grievance as well as specific forms to be used.

A meeting is held with the next review level. There may be witnesses heard and documents presented. Employees may have the ability to be represented by another party. There may be written rules or procedures including specific timeframes that govern the proceeding. Typically all conclusions are written.

There may be a second, higher level of review if one of the parties is not satisfied with the decisions that have been made at the first review level and wishes to appeal them. Usually this second "hearing" is more complex, procedural and inflexible than the prior session. The subsequent review or reviews typically parallel the company's organization. For example, the process in a small or "flat" organization may begin at the supervisor's level, progress initially to the department level, and then be appealed to an executive level for a final review if necessary.

Final step. The complaint may then progress to a final step which might be: