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Grievance procedure is the settlement of employees grievances in the shortest possible time. It is a formal communication between management and its employees in the workplace. Different organizations have different procedures. The employees have certain expectations and aspirations from the company he works with. He feels dissatisfied when his expectations are not met. This results in causing grievance between the organization and the employee.

Causes of grievances:

Employees grievances is caused due to following reasons:

• Undesirable working conditions.
• When the job assignment is not proper.
• Collective bargaining which leads to violation of contracts.
• When the material is not available in time.
• Inadequate health and safety measures and services are provided.
• When they are transferred from one department to another.
• Discharge of discipline.
• Promotion is one of the main reasons.
• When the seniority rules are loosely calculated and interpreted.
• They have objections regarding supervision methods.
• Complaints regarding disciplinary procedures and methods.
• Complaints regarding job classifications.
• Complaints regarding incentive systems.
• When the demand for wage adjustment.

Benefits of grievance procedure in the workplace :

It is beneficial for both employers and their employees:

• Employees are encouraged to raise their voice without anybody’s fear.
• It is a speedy and fair way to deal with complaints.
• It prevents minor arguments and disagreements to turn in to major disputes.
• It saves employer’s energy, money and time as solutions for workplace problems are found easily.
• It enables the organization to build an atmosphere of trust and openness.

Objectives of grievance procedure:

• It helps the employees to share their grievances.
• It helps the in clarifying their nature of grievance.
• The reason for grievance and dissatisfaction can be investigated easily.
• A speedy solution to the problem can be resolved.
• To keep the promise and take appropriate action.
• If the event leads to an unsuccessful resolution then the employee is informed about his right to take his grievance to the next level.

Features of good grievance procedure:

• Fairness: to keep the procedure viable it is essential for its employees to develop faith and belief in the procedure. Fairness is needed to be just.
• Facilities for representation: representation helps those employees lacking confidence and experience.
• Procedural steps: the procedure should be short and limited to just three steps to make it work efficiently.
• Promptness: to avoid frustration and bitterness promptness to work is very important. Quick action should be taken which results in swift resolution.

Essential prerequisites of grievance procedure in the workplace :

The grievance procedure should be effective, systematic and sound and should have the following qualities:

• Unambiguity: every step of grievance procedure should be unambiguous and clear. All employees should be well informed about the right person to approach, time taken to solve it and nature of complaint whether oral or written.
• Conformity with statutory provision.
• Simplicity: the procedure should be short and simple. It should not be complicated.
• Training: the union representatives and supervisors should be trained properly in handling grievances.
• Promptness: prompt action should be taken against the grievances as it is good for both the employer and the employees.
• Follow up: a track should be kept by the Personnel Department regarding the functioning and effectiveness of grievance procedure.