Grievance Letter Template for England and Wales

A Grievance Letter is a formal written complaint that employees send to their employer when they have serious workplace concerns they want addressed. It's often the first step in raising issues like unfair treatment, discrimination, or problems with working conditions under UK employment law.

The letter starts the official grievance procedure that most British employers must follow under the ACAS Code of Practice. It creates a paper trail, sets out your concerns clearly, and gives your employer a chance to resolve the issue before things escalate to an employment tribunal. Writing one shows you're taking the proper steps to address workplace problems professionally.

Consider writing a Grievance Letter when informal conversations haven't resolved serious workplace issues in England. Common triggers include persistent bullying, discrimination, health and safety concerns, or significant changes to your working conditions that breach your contract.

Time matters with grievances - sending the letter promptly shows you're addressing problems professionally and preserves your legal rights. It's especially important if you're experiencing ongoing harassment, facing a pay dispute, or dealing with issues that could lead to constructive dismissal. The letter starts a formal process that employers must follow under UK employment law, creating vital documentation if you later need to pursue legal action.

• Unfair Treatment Grievance Letter: Addresses workplace discrimination, unequal pay, or unfair promotion decisions
• Bullying Grievance Letter: Focuses on workplace harassment, intimidation, or hostile behavior from colleagues or managers
• Employee Complaint Letter: Covers general workplace issues like poor working conditions or contract breaches
• Grievance Letter Response: Management's formal reply addressing raised concerns
• Grievance Decision Letter: Final outcome letter detailing investigation findings and actions

• Employees: The primary writers of grievance letters, raising formal complaints about workplace issues affecting their employment rights or wellbeing
• HR Departments: Receive and process grievance letters, coordinate investigations, and maintain records of all formal complaints
• Line Managers: Often involved in grievance hearings and may need to provide evidence or statements about workplace situations
• Trade Union Representatives: Support members in drafting letters and attending grievance meetings
• Employment Lawyers: Advise on complex cases or when grievances might lead to tribunal claims
• ACAS Officers: Provide guidance on grievance procedures and may mediate disputes before they escalate

• Document incidents: Keep a detailed diary of events, including dates, times, and witnesses
• Gather evidence: Collect relevant emails, messages, or documents that support your complaint
• Check policies: Review your company's grievance procedure in the staff handbook
• Outline facts: Write down key points chronologically, focusing on specific examples
• Stay professional: Keep language formal and factual, avoiding emotional statements
• Request action: Clearly state what outcome you're seeking to resolve the issue
• Keep copies: Save all correspondence and maintain your own record of the complaint
• Use our platform: Generate a legally-sound grievance letter tailored to your situation

• Personal Details: Your full name, job title, department, and employee reference number
• Date and Address: Current date and proper company address details
• Subject Line: Clear statement that this is a formal grievance under company procedures
• Complaint Details: Specific incidents with dates, times, and relevant parties involved
• Supporting Evidence: References to attached documents or witness statements
• Previous Actions: Steps already taken to resolve the issue informally
• Desired Outcome: Clear statement of what resolution you're seeking
• Signature Block: Your signature, date, and confirmation of ACAS code compliance
• Using our platform: Get a perfectly structured grievance letter with all required elements automatically included

A Grievance Letter differs significantly from a Complaint Letter in several key ways, though both deal with expressing dissatisfaction. While a Grievance Letter specifically addresses workplace issues through a formal employment law process, a Complaint Letter has broader applications and typically doesn't trigger the same legal protections or procedural requirements.

• Legal Framework: Grievance Letters fall under employment law and ACAS guidelines, while Complaint Letters aren't governed by specific legislation
• Procedural Impact: Grievance Letters trigger mandatory response timeframes and investigation procedures; Complaint Letters don't require formal responses
• Protected Status: Filing a Grievance Letter provides legal protection against unfair dismissal or retaliation; Complaint Letters offer no such safeguards
• Documentation Requirements: Grievance Letters need specific details, dates, and evidence to support potential tribunal claims; Complaint Letters can be more general in nature