Grievances - Meaning &

Definition
A grievances is a feeling of discontent or
dissatisfaction or distress or seuffering
among workers. When employee feel
that injustice has been done to them it
becomes grievance.
“Any dissatisfaction or feeling of injustice
in connection with one’s employment
situation that is brought to the notice of
the management.”-Beach
 Meaning

► A grievance reflects a dissatisfaction among workers

concerning any aspect of the organisation.
► Dissatisfaction must arise out of employment only.
► It may be out of real or imaginary causes.
► A grievance arise only if employee feels that injustice
has been done to him.
► The grievance results from perceived non fulfilment
of one’s expectation from organisation.
Characteristics of Grievances

► Factual-: When employee feels that some of the

benefits promised to him at the time of appointment
have not been given by the employer it becomes
factual grievance.
► Imaginary-: The employee fell aggrieved when
organisation does not respond to his requests, this is
the case of an imaginary grievance.
► Disguised-: The basic requirements of the
employees may be attended to but psychological
needs such as need for recoginition, affection, proper
achievement may not be taken care of. These cause
disguised grievances.
 Causes or Sources of Grievances

► Employment Conditions like wage rates etc.

► Supervision
► General working conditions
► Trade Unions
► Difference of opinion of management &
employees
► Adherence to rules by employer while dealing
with certain employees
► Psychological reasons
Steps for Grievance Handling
► Grievance should be clear so that it is easy to find
solution.
► Once the issue is clear all relevant facts should be
collected, employee’s viewpoint & supervisor’s
reaction should be collected.
► Before giving final decision the mgt. should see the
reaction of both the parties on the same decision in
the past.
► Decision is then conveyed to the concerned person.
► Last step is to see whether employee is satisfied with
decision.
Methods to Anticipate Grievances

► Observations
► Grievance Procedure
► Exit Interview
► Opinion Surveys
► Gripe Boxes [Complain box]
► Open Door Policy
 Essentials of Successsful
Grievances handling
► Legal Sanctity
► Acceptability
► Unambiguity
► Simplicity
► Promptness
► Training
► Follow up
 Grievance handling Procedure
► Model Grievance Procedure-: Aggrieved
employee shall present his / her grievance to the
officer designated for the purpose officer responds in
48 hours if employee is still dissatisfied then he/ she
can go to head of the department who gives her / his
decision in 3 days on dissatisfaction grievance
committee takes 7 days to give decision, again on
dissatisfaction the grievance is handled to manager
which takes 3 days, the employees if still not satisfied
then can appeal for revision of decision.