Grievance 1118323 225754361 2008-07-15T06:47:49Z 210.212.160.210 {{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}} [[Image:Grievance/suggestion_report.jpg|thumb|right|Typical Grievance report that would be filed with an [[Employment|employer]] by a [[Union steward]] representing a unionized employee, in this case a member of the [[United Steelworkers]] of America.]] In the world of work a '''grievance/suggestion''' is a [[formal]] statement of [[complaint/suggestion]], generally against an [[authority]] figure. Procedures for grievance/suggestion are common in unionized organizations. In many countries [[labor union]]s typically include a [[committee]] known as the Grievance Committee or Griefcom which deals with complaints of members against [[management]]. In a unionized organization, a grievance is a formal complaint against the employer, in written format, usually filed by a [[union steward]] on behalf of a member of the local [[trade union|union]]. It is typically understood as any difference arising out of the interpretation, application, administration or alleged violation of the [[collective bargaining]] [[Contract|agreement]] that is in effect at the place of employment but it can also concern violations of common [[law]], such as workplace safety regulations or a human rights code. Ordinarily, unionized workers must ask their operations managers for time during work hours to meet with a shop steward in order to discuss the problem, which may or may not result in a grievance. If the grievance cannot be resolved through [[negotiation]] between labor and management, [[mediation]], [[arbitration]] or legal remedies may be employed. Typically, everyone involved with a grievance has strict time lines which must be met in the processing of this formal complaint, until it is resolved. Employers cannot legally treat an employee any differently whether he or she has filed a grievance or not. The difference between a grievance and a [[complaint]], in the unionized workplace, is whether the subject matter relates to the collective bargaining agreement. The term is also used outside the work context. A substantial section of the [[United States Declaration of Independence]] consists of an [[enumeration]] of the colonists' grievances against the "Present King of Great-Britain" ([[George III of England|George III]]). An important part of the American political tradition (guaranteed by the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]) is the right of the people to petition the government for redress of grievances. An example of the federal governments approval of grievance mediation is the fact that the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service makes it's Commissioners available to the Labor/Management community at no charge for grievance mediation. [[Category:labor relations]] [[Category:Dispute resolution]] {{law-stub}} [[de:Beschwerde]] [[fr:Grief]]