Employee disputes are common in the workplace and mostly lead to workers raising personal grievances at work. These may result from discrimination, unfair dismissal, harassment, safety concerns, etc. However, raising a personal grievance can be challenging if you don’t know how to do it right, and may ruin your relationship with your employer. You should seek help from a skilled lawyer who can guide you through the process.There are also many other ways to help you raise a personal grievance successfully.
These include;
- Discuss the issue with your employer
For minor issues, talk it out with your employer, and try to come up with solutions. Resolve issues early before they escalate, this helps guard your relationship with your employer. Not dealing with problems early can cause more harm and ruin your relationship to the extent that it can’t be fixed. However, if the problem can’t be fixed by talking about it, you can now raise a formal complaint.
- Raise a formal personal grievance in writing
For serious issues such as unfair dismissal, harassment, bullying, etc, raise a formal personal grievance. Do this immediately, within 90 days, and have it in writing. Include all the details of your case to show the employer why you are unhappy with the situation. If filing a personal grievance against another worker, don’t do it anonymously, but be ready to come out and prove your evidence.
For sexual harassment, you may sometimes take longer to file a grievance due to the associated trauma or fear of stigma and embarrassment. But, you can still file your case within 12 months.
- Get advice
Have everything in writing and include key issues such as what happened, who was involved, and where it took place. Seek advice and support from a professional, this is easier when you have all the details in writing. A lawyer or advocate can help you raise the grievance and offer the required advice and representation.
The lawyer will also assess the situation and educate you on your rights and options. If you are having challenges writing a personal grievance letter, your lawyer can help you prepare it to capture all the issues.
- Seek support
Seek moral support from loved ones and friends. They may not necessarily offer legal help but will provide moral support during the process. In some workplaces, you will get free counseling services to help workers deal with their issues. For instance, if facing sexual harassment or discrimination, support services will come in handy, and will help you deal with emotions better.
Conclusion
Handling a personal grievance all by yourself can be stressful and time-consuming. You need the right details and should have all the facts at hand to prove your case. The best way to handle this is to engage a lawyer with experience handling personal grievances. They will advise you on how to present your case and also represent you during mediation. Therefore, get the right legal advice before presenting a personal grievance, and improve your chances of success!