Employee Grievance

Redressal
What is grievance ?
Causes of Grievance
Grievance redressal procedure

What is grievance ? .. Contd.

Any discontent or dissatisfaction
whether expressed or not and
whether valid or not arising out of
anything connected with the
company / organisation that an
employee thinks / believes or even
feels is unfair or unjust.

What is grievance ? .. Contd.

Dissatisfaction
Complaint
Accusation
Criticism
Objection
Grumble
Injustice

What is grievance ? .. Contd.

Anything that disturbs an
employee whether or not he
expresses his unrest in words.
A complaint is a spoken or written
dissatisfaction brought to the
attention to his superiors.

What is grievance ? .. Contd.

The complainant may or may not
specifically assign a cause of
dissatisfaction
A grievance is simply a complaint which
has been formally present, in writing to
a management representative or to a
union official.

Causes of Grievance
Typical examples
of Workers Grievances

Causes of Grievance

Type of Grievances

Wages:

1. 1. Demand for individual wage

adjustment
2.Complaints about job
classification

Common causes
(The worker feels that)

He is not getting what he is worth. Gets

less than other people work requiring the
His job is worth more than it pays. Should be
reclassified, deserves to be upgraded.

3. Complaints about
incentive system

The method of figuring his pay is so complicated

that he doesnt know what his rate really is.

4. Miscellaneous

Mistakes are made in calculating pay.

same

skill.

Causes of Grievance .. Contd.

Type of Grievances

Common causes
(The worker feels that)

Supervision:

1. Complaints against discipline

Supervisor doesnt like him, picks on
mistakes were due inadequate instructions
2.Objection to a particular
He is playing favorites. Trying to undermine
supervisor.
union. He ignores complaint.
3. Objection to general method
of complaint

Too many rules & regulations. Or not clear

him.He is active in the union. His

Causes of Grievance .. Contd.

Type of Grievances

Common causes
(The worker feels that)

Seniority discharge:
1. Loss of seniority
2.Calculation of seniority
3. Interpretation of seniority

He has been unfairly deprived of seniority.

Not received the seniority due to him.
Clause in agreement has been unfairly

4. Disciplinary discharge
penalized unfairly. Company wanted to get rid of
5. Promotions
Company would not promote union activity
doesnt have a chance to advance himself.

interpreted ( Clauses often vague)

him anyway for the union activity.

Causes of Grievance .. Contd.

Type of Grievances

Common causes
(The worker feels that)

General working conditions:

1. Safety & health
Toilet facilities are inadequate. Dampness,noise
and other unpleasant & unsafe conditions
2. Miscellaneous
He has to loose too much waiting for the material.
Overtime is unnecessary.lunch room facilities are
inadequate.

fumes

Causes of Grievance .. Contd.

Type of Grievances

Common causes
(The worker feels that)

Collective bargaining:
1. Violations of Contract

Company putting obstacles in the way

grievance settlement.

2.Interpretation of Contract Supervisors are not given any authority for

3. Settlement of Grievances
Company fails to discipline supervisors where
action is necessary.

concessions
disciplinary

Causes of Grievance

Typical examples of Management

complaints

Causes of Grievance .. Contd.

Type of Grievances

Common causes

Dissatisfaction with individual

workers:
1. Complaints concerning discipline
orders / safety regulations /

Disregard of plant rules. Disregard of

absenteeism / general irresponsibility.

2.Complainants concerning work

Slow down / poor work

supervisor's

Causes of
Causes
of Grievance
Grievance....Contd.
Contd.

Type of Grievances

Common causes

Collective Bargaining Violation of contract:

1. Violation of contract

Lacks good faith.

2.Disputes over interpretation

of contract
grievances

Fails to obtain facts before presenting

3. Complaints about grievance

settlement

Spends too much time grievance work

4. Alleged failures of unions to live

Fails to take disciplinary action against
upto promises
union members where necessary.

Causes of Grievance .. Contd.

Type of Grievances

Common causes

Miscellaneous:
1. Questionable methods of
soliciting union members.

Misrepresents managements attitude towards

New employees.

2.Union rules conflicting with

Interferes with managements freedom by
terms of agreement
passing restrictive rules in conflict with
the agreement.
3.Irresponsible charges against
management by union leaders in
press, leaflets or public speeches

Some complaints concerning

Medical advice & treatment

Housing accommodation
Retirement
Non granting of leave
Financial aid
Shortage of water in co housing
Lack of work
Employment of relatives
Transfer from one dept from another

Grievance Redressal Procedure

Grievance must be settled
- promptly
- to the point of origin
- on merit only
- as many facts as possible
- attitude of mutual confidence &
respect

Grievance Redressal Procedure

Grievance Redressal Procedure must
1. Be simple, fair & easy to understand
2. Encourage employees to put forth their
grievances
3. Function promptly
4. Gain employee confidence
5. Promote healthy relations between
employees and the company