How long does an employer have to respond to a complaint?
Asked by: Maude Toy MD | Last update: January 27, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (27 votes)
An employer's response time to a complaint varies, but for formal complaints like those filed with the EEOC, they typically have 30 days to provide a written statement, though extensions are possible; for internal HR complaints, a timely acknowledgement is key, with some sources suggesting a few days to weeks for a full investigation, while specific state laws or federal agencies (like OSHA) might set different, often shorter, deadlines, like 5 days for hazard reports.
How long does HR have to respond to a complaint?
The length of time that HR takes to investigate complaints will depend on a few factors. These include the nature of the complaint, the company, and the HR department. In most cases, complaints will be investigated within 3 to 7 days. In some cases, it will take longer for HR to conclude its investigation.
How long does a company have to acknowledge a complaint?
A clear, substantive response within 14 days of receiving the complaint. For complex issues, businesses should acknowledge receipt within 3 working days and provide an estimated timeframe for resolution.
What if my employer doesn't respond to my grievance?
The Code outlines reasonable timeframes for each stage – typically, your employer should respond to your grievance in writing and arrange a meeting without unreasonable delay. If your employer fails to follow the procedure, you may have grounds for further action, including a potential claim to an employment tribunal.
How long should you wait for a response to a complaint?
Good practice requires a timely acknowledgement of a complaint. The experience of customers in other sectors shows that a response within two working days increases their confidence in a complaint handling process.
What happens if your employer does not respond to the EEOC in 30 days? What if they never respond?
What happens if a company doesn't respond to your complaint?
If we think the organisation has not responded to your request as they should've done, we can give them advice and ask them to solve the problem. You can also seek to enforce your rights through the courts. If you decide to do this, we strongly advise you to seek independent legal advice first.
How long should a company take to respond to a grievance?
A grievance meeting is sometimes called a 'hearing'. The employer should hold the meeting 'without unreasonable delay' – ideally within 5 working days.
What to do when HR ignores your complaints?
Re-submit your complaint in writing, attach a timeline of your efforts, and request a meeting. If HR continues to ignore you, that may violate your rights under California law, especially if your complaint was about harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage violations, or a request for accommodation.
What are two examples of unfair treatment in the workplace?
Two examples of unfair treatment in the workplace are unequal pay for equal work, where someone earns less than colleagues for the same job (often due to gender, race, etc.), and discriminatory denial of opportunities, like being passed over for training, promotions, or desirable assignments because of age, disability, or other protected characteristics, says Lawyers for Justice, P.C., Carey & Associates P.C., and Morgan & Morgan Lawyers.
What's the difference between a complaint and grievance?
A grievance is a formal, often legally binding issue, typically involving a violation of a contract or policy. A complaint is a more general expression of dissatisfaction that may not require formal action.
What are the chances of winning a grievance?
Be prepared to appeal – 99% of grievances are dismissed by the employer.
What are the 5 stages of complaint handling?
Five steps to effective complaints handling
- Making contact. Handling customer communications effectively at the first point of contact is central to successfully resolving customer issues. ...
- Data validation and management. ...
- Case management. ...
- Redress payment. ...
- Root cause analysis.
How long does a company have to complete an investigation?
How long should the investigation take? It should be completed as quickly as possible, although this could be days or weeks', depending on the nature of what is being investigated. Any reasonable further time needed is allowed, and this should be explained to you.
Can HR fire you if you complain?
In many cases, being fired after complaining to HR may qualify as wrongful termination or unlawful dismissal, especially when the complaint involved discrimination, harassment, wage violations, or other protected workplace rights.
How to get a complaint taken seriously?
Put it in writing
Always put your complaint in writing. Email is easiest but you can also send it by post. The risk of being pushed from pillar to post is reduced, and you won't have to repeat yourself if you need to contact the company again because it will have the details on record.
How long does investigation take at work?
Begin process of investigation within 2-3 business days of receiving complaint. Most investigations should be completed within 7-10 business days. Allowing complaints to linger and investigations to continue for weeks creates concerns.
What are HR trigger words?
HR trigger words are terms that alert Human Resources to potential policy violations, serious workplace issues like harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, or a hostile work environment, and significant risks like lawsuits, high turnover, or burnout, prompting investigation or intervention, while other buzzwords like "quiet quitting" signal cultural trends. Using them signals a serious concern requiring HR's immediate attention for compliance and employee safety, though overly negative or absolute language can also be flagged.
What is considered mistreatment of employees?
Offensive conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance.
What if my employer ignores my concerns?
Seek Legal Counsel
If HR ignores your complaint and you face workplace retaliation, discrimination, or an unresolved issue, consulting an employment attorney is crucial. An attorney can: Help you understand your legal options. Represent you in negotiations or litigation.
What complaints does HR take seriously?
Handling workplace complaints is essential for maintaining a productive, legally compliant, and respectful work environment. California's strict labor laws require employers to take employee complaints seriously, whether they involve harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other workplace issues.
What qualifies as a hostile work environment?
A hostile work environment is a workplace with unwelcome conduct, harassment, or discrimination that is so severe or pervasive it creates an intimidating, offensive, or abusive atmosphere, making it difficult for an employee to do their job, often based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, or age. It's more than just an unpleasant boss; it requires a pattern of behavior that a reasonable person would find objectively hostile and that negatively impacts the work, often involving unwelcome comments, offensive jokes, or discriminatory actions.
How long does HR have to resolve a complaint?
The answer depends on the complexity of the issue, the number of people involved, and the amount of evidence that needs to be reviewed. Some investigations can be resolved in a few days, while others may take weeks to ensure a thorough and fair outcome.
What happens if my employer doesn't respond to my grievance?
Yes, if your employer has unreasonably failed to follow the expected proper grievance process under the ACAS Code of Practice as set out above (including failure to hear the grievance whether in person or in writing), an employment tribunal can increase any damages awarded to you by up to 25 per cent.
Do I have the right to see a complaint made against me?
Rights to Access Investigation Records
If you are involved in an investigation, you can request to review the investigation record. However, keep in mind that employers are not required to give you a copy of the investigation record if the investigation resulted in no disciplinary action against you.
How long should I give HR to respond?
If you don't receive any notifications from the employer after one to two weeks, you can craft your first follow-up email. Remember to keep it concise, professional and respectful. If the employer doesn't reply within a week, consider sending a final email reminding them of the first one you sent.