Grievance Hearings

When an employee raises a formal grievance, it is your responsibility as the employer to hold a grievance hearing. A grievance hearing is often an effective way to resolve issues internally. It provides the employee with the opportunity to put forward their case and allows the employer to clarify the facts and resolve the issue. When handling a grievance hearing, you should:

• Give the employee at least 5 working days to prepare for the meeting
• Allow the employee to bring a relevant person
• Gather information from all sides and do not make a decision until everyone involved has explained their side
• Have another manager attend the meeting
• Ensure someone is taking notes at the meeting
• If necessary, take statements from any witness who cannot attend
• Allow the employee to appeal the outcome.