There are three stages to the formal grievance procedure and these are as follows:

First stage – raising the grievance

Where the grievance or complaint cannot be resolved informally, you should put your grievance in writing, to a Manager.

Second stage – hearing

Once a manager has had time to consider your complaint, you will be invited to attend a hearing in order to discuss it. You will be told of your statutory right to be accompanied as outlined in this procedure. You are obliged to make every effort to attend the hearing. Everything reasonably possible will be done to solve the problem fairly at this stage through open and honest discussion at the hearing.

A manager will respond to your grievance within five working days of the hearing taking place. If it is not possible to respond within this time, you will be given a written explanation for the delay and told when a response can be expected.

Third stage – the appeal

If the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction at stage two, you may appeal against the decision. You should raise the matter in writing with the person named in your meeting invitation letter.

They will arrange to hear your appeal, whenever possible, within five working days and you will be reminded of your statutory right to be accompanied at the appeal hearing.

Following the appeal hearing, you will be advised of the final decision in writing within ten working days of the hearing. If it is not possible to respond within this time, the employee should be given a written explanation for the delay and told when a response can be expected.

The grievance procedure is exhausted at the end of this stage.

RECORDS

Records will be kept by Active detailing the nature of the grievances raised and Active’s response including any action taken and the reasons. All such records will be strictly confidential.