Can a grievance turn into a disciplinary?

Asked by: Walker Cassin  |  Last update: July 27, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (14 votes)

Can a grievance result in a disciplinary? Yes. If the grievance involves allegations against another individual such as a colleague or manager, then disciplinary action may be appropriate. The grievance should be investigated thoroughly before taking any disciplinary action.

Is a grievance the same as a disciplinary?

A disciplinary procedure is used by an employer to address an employee's conduct or performance. A grievance procedure is used to deal with a problem or complaint that an employee raises.

Can you get fired after filing a grievance?

You may not be fired for making a complaint (whether to your own HR department or to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) about harassment or discrimination in the workplace; for participating in an investigation of these issues; or for exercising your rights under these laws (by, for example, requesting a ...

What happens when you raise a grievance?

When an employee raises a formal grievance, the employer should hold a meeting with them. A grievance meeting is sometimes called a 'hearing'. The employer should hold the meeting 'without unreasonable delay' – ideally within 5 working days. They should allow employees enough time to prepare for the meeting.

Can you run a disciplinary and grievance at the same time?

If the employee raises a grievance during the disciplinary procedure, the employer can pause the disciplinary and deal with the grievance first. It might be appropriate to deal with both at the same time if the grievance and disciplinary cases are related.

Making Grievances in the Workplace-What You Should Know

44 related questions found

Can you be punished for filing a grievance?

Participating in a complaint process is protected from retaliation under all circumstances. Other acts to oppose discrimination are protected as long as the employee was acting on a reasonable belief that something in the workplace may violate EEO laws, even if he or she did not use legal terminology to describe it.

What are the outcomes of a grievance?

Outcomes of a grievance procedure can include resolving the issue through mediation, making changes to workplace practices, offering an apology, or, in some cases, disciplinary action against those involved. The aim is to reach a fair resolution that addresses the employee's concerns.

How serious is a grievance?

A grievance typically incorporates a specific process that both the employee and employer must follow. While a grievance is generally seen as more serious than a normal complaint, both can have negative consequences.

Can you sue after a grievance?

Once you've exhausted any internal grievance procedures you have access to, you have 6 months to file a claim against the union. If your issue wasn't resolved because your union failed to adequately represent you, you may also file a claim against your employer.

Can you record a grievance meeting?

However, neither an employee, nor an employer, has the right to record a meeting – unless both parties agree to the recording. It's unlikely that many employers would agree to this (as it's unlikely that most employers disciplinary procedures or grievance procedures would expressly allow this).

Can I sue for grievance?

If you have exhausted your employer's internal grievance system and the problem has not been handled satisfactorily, you may choose to consider bringing a lawsuit. However, it is crucial to highlight that suing your company is a significant move.

Can HR fire you for complaining?

The general rule is don't bring your everyday complaints to HR. They're not there to make your job better or easier and they might fire you simply because they don't want to hear it. This is usually legal.

What happens when a grievance is filed against you at work?

Grievance Procedure

Supervisor reviews formal grievance and makes a decision. If unresolved, Manager reviews formal grievance and makes a decision. If unresolved, applicable Deputy Director, with the assistance of the LRO, reviews grievance and makes a decision. The LRO frequently writes the decision.

Can a grievance get you fired?

No, an employee cannot be fired for filing a grievance. That is considered retaliation and is illegal. In addition to not firing them, an employer cannot demote or deduct pay from the employee for filing the grievance.

What is unfair disciplinary?

Unfair disciplinary actions are those that are disproportionate or unjustified given your employee's behaviour or performance. They fall outside your established, documented procedures for disciplinary action, or are inconsistent from how you've dealt with similar cases in the past.

What are the four stages of disciplinary action?

The steps in the disciplinary procedure generally follow graduated steps, including a verbal warning, written warning, final written warning, and dismissal. However, in cases of gross or serious misconduct, it is permissible to go straight to stage 4 of the procedure.

Can you lose your job for filing a grievance?

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): This law establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor standards. Employees who file complaints or provide information related to an FLSA investigation are protected from retaliation.

How long should a grievance last?

There is no set time limit in which an employee must raise a grievance. This means that, in theory, they can raise issues that happened years ago. It is open to you to set a reasonable time limit in your grievance procedure, although this does not mean that you can ignore historical allegations.

How serious is an EEOC complaint?

In most cases, changes to procedures and policies are required to appease the charging party. If the case is too serious for mediation or the employer declines mediation, then the EEOC may sue the employer. Employer declined EEOC mediation means the case may proceed to litigation.

How do you win a grievance?

Five Steps To Winning Grievances
  1. Listen carefully to the facts from the worker. Listening is a lot harder than most people realize. ...
  2. Test for a grievance. You already know the five tests for a grievance. ...
  3. Investigate thoroughly. ...
  4. Write the grievance. ...
  5. Present the grievance in a firm but polite manner.

What are the disadvantages of grievance?

Potential disadvantages include:
  • Employees not wanting to deal with the process and letting little issues go.
  • Extra paperwork and procedures for HR and managers.
  • Extended timeline for resolving issues, especially relatively minor ones.
  • Employees filing grievances for situations that aren't true grievances.

Can you get money from a grievance?

As an employee, you have the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination in the workplace. This includes the right to file a grievance and seek compensation for harm or mistreatment endured.

What's the next step after a grievance?

The next step of the grievance process is a meeting to discuss the grievance at a higher level of management authority – typically between the union's business agent or grievance committee members and designated management representatives.

What are the consequences of grievance?

Grievances in the workplace

Difficulties that are not managed properly can have a detrimental impact on staff performance, with subsequent absenteeism and financial cost to the organisation.

What are the three most important grievances?

As seen above the list of grievances are numerous, but four central topics stand above the rest: taxes, violations of the rights of the accused, forcibly quartering British soldiers in the homes of the colonists, and taking undue powers onto himself.