What happens if a grievance is unresolved?
Asked by: General Langosh | Last update: January 27, 2026Score: 5/5 (10 votes)
If a grievance is unresolved, it typically escalates to higher management or union officials, potentially leading to mediation, arbitration, or external bodies like labor relations offices, but it also harms workplace culture by lowering morale, reducing productivity, increasing turnover, and damaging team trust if ignored, potentially leading to legal action or constructive dismissal claims if it's a serious, repeated issue.
What happens if a grievance cannot be resolved?
What happens if the grievance is unsuccessful? If your grievance is unsuccessful, then you can either appeal it, simply resign, or resign and claim constructive dismissal. This latter claim would be on the basis that you have been forced to leave because of a fundamental breach of contract on your employer's part.
What are the effects of unresolved grievances?
Unresolved grievances can lead to a decline in employee morale, decreased productivity and a negative organisational culture. When grievances are ignored or mishandled, they can escalate into larger conflicts and result in increased employee turnover and potential reputational damage to the organisation.
What happens if a grievance is ignored?
If an employer ignores a grievance or fails to hear it within a reasonable time, you could possibly argue that this is a fundamental breach of your employment contract, depending on the seriousness of the grievance.
What are the chances of winning a grievance?
Be prepared to appeal – 99% of grievances are dismissed by the employer.
What Happens If My Workplace Grievance Is Ignored? - Labor and Employment Law Expert
What is the average grievance payout?
Lower-value claims may fall between $30,000 and $100,000, while moderate cases often settle from $100,000 to $300,000. High-damage cases—especially those involving discrimination, retaliation, or whistleblowing—can exceed $1,000,000, depending on the evidence and severity of the employer's conduct.
How long should a grievance take to resolve?
However, Acas recommends that grievances should ideally be resolved within 4 weeks. More complex cases may take longer, but employers should aim to handle grievances promptly to maintain trust and morale.
Can I lose my job over a grievance?
Am I likely to lose my job if I raise a grievance? You should not be dismissed for simply raising a grievance. Speak to your rep for advice based on the specific details of your case if you feel that you may be disadvantaged in some way due to raising a grievance.
How serious is a grievance?
Workplace grievances can be a serious matter that may lead to unwanted litigation against you or your business. For this reason, being aware of the common types of grievances and putting grievance procedures in place are important for business leaders.
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.
Are grievances ever upheld?
Grievances are rarely upheld – at least not if upholding a complaint could form the basis of a legal claim – and so employees with legitimate concerns are left dissatisfied.
What may be the common consequences of unresolved conflict?
Prolonged exposure to unresolved conflict can lead to burnout—a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Employees who feel overwhelmed by ongoing conflict may struggle to maintain a work-life balance, often carrying the burden of workplace issues into their personal lives.
What are the disadvantages of grievance?
When employees feel that their complaints are dismissed without being resolved, several adverse consequences may arise:
- Lower Morale: Employees who perceive that their grievances are ignored or dismissed are likely to feel undervalued. ...
- Decreased Productivity: Disengaged employees are far less productive.
Can I sue for grievance?
If you feel your employer has broken the law or regulation, such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or wrongful termination, you may be eligible to file a legal claim. You may be able to make a complaint with a government agency or pursue a grievance lawsuit in such instances.
Is it worth appealing a grievance?
Should you appeal a grievance decision? Yes, if you are unhappy with the decision and want to remain with your employer, then it is a good idea to appeal a grievance decision.
What to do if your complaint is ignored?
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.
Can a grievance get someone fired?
An employer cannot legally fire, demote or discipline someone for asserting their rights under wage and hour laws. Doing so may qualify as unlawful retaliation. Firing someone outright is a clear form of retaliation.
Do you get compensation for a grievance?
Furthermore, some upheld grievances can be particularly serious, and you may be able to make a claim for compensation, even if the company has acknowledged and taken steps to solve the issue.
What evidence is needed for a grievance?
The process typically includes: Reviewing the grievance complaint: HR examines the formal grievance to understand the issue, the people involved, and any policies that apply. Collecting evidence: They then gather relevant documents, emails, security footage, or performance records that support or disprove the claim.
What are the three types of grievances?
The three main types of grievances, especially in unionized environments, are Individual, Group, and Policy grievances, focusing on a single person's rights, a collective issue affecting several employees, or broad contractual/policy interpretation, respectively, though broader categories like Work Conditions, Compensation, and Discrimination/Harassment also define common workplace issues.
How to win a grievance against an employer?
Five Steps To Winning Grievances
- Listen carefully to the facts from the worker. Listening is a lot harder than most people realize. ...
- Test for a grievance. You already know the five tests for a grievance. ...
- Investigate thoroughly. ...
- Write the grievance. ...
- Present the grievance in a firm but polite manner.
What are 5 fair reasons for dismissal?
The five fair reasons for dismissal under UK employment law are Conduct, Capability/Qualifications, Redundancy, Breach of a Statutory Duty/Restriction, and Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR), each requiring a fair process, like investigation, warnings, and consultation, to avoid unfair dismissal claims. These reasons cover employee behavior, inability to do the job (skill/health), role elimination, legal constraints, and other significant business needs.
Who decides the outcome of a grievance?
After following a fair grievance procedure, the employer should decide on the best outcome based on: the findings from meetings and investigations.
How long does a grievance take to settle?
Some grievances are settled at stage one, and this typically only takes a week or two. However, many grievances go through to steps 2 – 3 and can take several months or more. If no agreement can be reached, the grievance could go to arbitration.
What happens if a grievance is raised against you?
Any workplace grievance, even when made against you personally as a manager, must be approached by your employer in the same way as any other grievance at work. This means that it must be fully investigated, and handled fairly and lawfully, without your employer taking sides.