If you have a problem or complaint at work, you might want to take this up with your employer. This is called ‘raising a grievance'.

Often the best way to sort out a problem is to request an informal meeting with your immediate manager to explain your concerns. You may find it is possible to sort the problem out in this way without having to take any further action. However, if you do not feel your problem has been solved, you may decide to raise a formal grievance. In this case you should first try to find out your company's grievance procedure. You should be able to find details of this in your Company Handbook, HR or Personnel manual, or on your company's HR intranet site.

The next step will probably be to write to your employer. Explain your problem, and if you can think of a possible solution for resolving it, give details of this. When you have written your letter, check that you have written the date, and retain a copy so that you have a record of what you wrote. Your employer should arrange an initial meeting at a reasonable time and place to discuss your grievance. You are entitled to ask either a colleague from work or a trade union representative to go to the meeting with you. After the meeting, your employer should write to you, telling you what they have decided to do about your grievance.

If you don't agree with your employer's decision, you have the right to appeal against it. This must be done in writing. A further meeting should then be called, which should be led by a more senior manager if possible. If you are still not satisfied with the decision made at this meeting, you may consider whether one way to solve the problem might be through mediation. This may be done inside the company or by an external agent. Alternatively, you can make an employment tribunal claim. You must do this no more than three months after the time when the event you are complaining about happened. If your application is received after this time limit, the tribunal will not usually accept it.