How does a grievance procedure at work work?

For employees and workers with a problem at work that talking to their manager has not solved.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

A grievance is a formal complaint you make to your employer in writing when talking to your manager has not fixed the problem.

Your employer should have a written grievance procedure, often in the staff handbook.
You will be invited to a meeting to set out the facts and find a solution.
You can bring a colleague or trade union rep to the meeting.
Your employer must tell you their decision in writing, and you can appeal.
Tribunal claims usually have to be made within 6 months if the problem happened on or after 1 October 2026 (3 months if before), and you usually need to contact Acas first.

Different in Northern Ireland

Follow the Labour Relations Agency Code of Practice, and most tribunal claims must be made within 3 months.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Raise it in writing
You can bring a companion
Decision given in writing
You can appeal the decision

Deadlines to know first

An employment tribunal claim usually has to be made within 6 months of your job ending or the problem happening, if it happened on or after 1 October 2026. If it happened before that date, the limit is 3 months.
Before you can claim, you usually need an early conciliation certificate from Acas.
Your employer's own procedure sets the time limit for an appeal. Check it as soon as you get a decision.

A grievance does not pause the tribunal clock. If the problem might end up at a tribunal, keep an eye on the date while the grievance runs.

Steps in a grievance procedure

Try to sort it out informally. Talk to your manager first. Mediation is another option. This is where an independent person helps you and your employer agree a solution. Both sides must agree, and it should not be used for things that need a formal investigation, such as discrimination or harassment.
Find your employer's procedure. It is usually in the staff handbook or on the intranet. It should say who to write to, who to write to if that person is part of the problem, and the time limits for each stage.
Write your grievance. Send it to the person named in the procedure.
Go to the grievance meeting. Your employer runs it, goes through your complaint and lets you comment. The aim is to set out the facts and find a way to fix the problem.
Get the decision in writing. It should say what your employer will do and how to appeal.
Appeal if you disagree. Send your appeal to the person named in the procedure, within its time limit. You will get the final decision in writing.

What to include in your letter

what happened, with dates, times and places
who was involved and any witnesses
how it has affected you
what you have already done to try to fix it
what you would like to happen now

Take copies of any emails, messages or documents to the meeting.

Your right to bring someone

You can bring a colleague or a trade union representative to grievance and appeal meetings. Depending on your employer's rules, a family member or a Citizens Advice worker may be allowed too.

Why following the process matters

Employers and staff should follow the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures. If a case reaches a tribunal and either side did not follow the code, any compensation can be changed by up to 25%.

Free help

Acas: free advice on workplace problems and early conciliation.
Citizens Advice: free, independent help in England, Wales and Scotland.
Your trade union, if you are a member.

If you live in Northern Ireland

The process is similar, but the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) Code of Practice applies. Before you claim at an Industrial Tribunal you must tell the LRA and consider early conciliation. Most tribunal claims in Northern Ireland must be made within 3 months. The LRA and Advice NI give free advice.

If you miss the deadline

In Northern Ireland, tribunals only extend deadlines in exceptional circumstances. Wherever you live, get advice straight away from Acas, Citizens Advice or your union, or in Northern Ireland from the LRA or Advice NI.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Raise a grievance at work

Common questions

Can I bring someone to my grievance meeting?

Yes. You can bring a colleague or a trade union representative. Some employers also allow a family member.

Does raising a grievance stop the tribunal time limit?

No. You usually have 6 months to claim if the problem happened on or after 1 October 2026, or 3 months if it happened before, so do not wait for the grievance to finish.

Who hears a grievance appeal?

Where possible, a manager who has not been involved in the grievance should handle the appeal.

Official sources

1.Raise a grievance at work (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/raise-grievance-at-work
2.Grievance procedure (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/raise-grievance-at-work/grievance-procedure
3.Grievance meetings (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/raise-grievance-at-work/grievance-meetings
4.Appealing a grievance decision (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/raise-grievance-at-work/appealing-a-grievance-decision
5.Make a claim to an employment tribunal (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/employment-tribunals/make-a-claim
6.Grievance procedures (nidirect)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/grievance-procedures
7.Employment tribunal time limits (business.gov.uk)www.business.gov.uk/campaign/employment-changes/employee/employment-tribunal-time-limits/

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

Ask about your situation

Please don't include your name, address, National Insurance number or health details. See our privacy notice.