Grievance Policy Template UK
Grievance Policy Template (UK)
Approx. 4 pages · 9 sectionsBranded PDF + editable WordLast reviewed:
What is a grievance policy and who needs one?
A grievance policy tells employees how to raise concerns or complaints about work, colleagues or treatment, and how the business will respond: informal resolution, formal meetings, the right to be accompanied, outcomes and appeals. It follows the Acas Code of Practice and supports fair work questions in public tenders.
Covers informal resolution, formal grievance meetings, the right to be accompanied, outcomes and appeals, in line with the Acas Code.
Why buyers ask for this
Buyers commonly ask about fair employment practices in fair work and social value questions. A grievance policy in line with the Acas Code shows your staff have a fair, clear way to raise concerns.
Who needs it
All employers. Public buyers increasingly ask about fair work practices.
Where it comes up in a PQQ, SQ or PSQ
Under the Procurement Act 2023, supplier selection uses the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) plus each buyer's own conditions of participation and quality questions. Typical questions this policy supports:
- Fair work and employment practice questions in social value sections
- "Provide your HR policies, including grievance and disciplinary procedures"
- Questions on how workforce concerns are raised and resolved
- – Supports fair work and employment practice questions
What's inside
The full grievance policy runs to about 4 pages (including the branded cover and document control page) across 9 sections:
- Introduction
- Your responsibilities
- Dealing with grievances informally
- Rights to be accompanied at grievance meetings
- Formal procedure
- Attending the grievance meeting
- Notification of the outcome
- The appeal meeting
- Data protection
Key points covered
- Informal resolution
- Formal procedure
- Right to be accompanied
- Grievance meetings
- Outcome and appeal
- Data protection
Every document carries your logo, company name, version number, approval signatory and next review date, in branded PDF plus editable Word.
UK legislation, standards and guidance it references
- Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures
- Employment Relations Act 1999 s.10 (right to be accompanied)
Excerpt preview
A grievance is any concern, problem, or complaint that you have in relation to your employment. Where possible, you should try to settle any grievance informally with your manager at the earliest opportunity. Where any grievance is unable to be resolved informally, this policy sets out the Company's Grievance Procedure. You have a responsibility to raise any grievances promptly and reasonably, assist the Company, if…
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£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. One-off payment.
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How to adapt it
- Read every section and remove anything that doesn’t reflect how your organisation actually works.
- Complete the bracketed [ADAPT] prompts with your own arrangements, people and data.
- Have the policy approved and signed by a director or equivalent, and communicate it to staff.
- Keep evidence that you follow it, and review it by the date shown.
Grievance Policy FAQs
What happens if we don't follow the Acas Code?
Employment tribunals take the Acas Code into account, and can adjust compensation by up to 25% where either party unreasonably fails to follow it.
Who can accompany an employee at a grievance meeting?
Under section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999, workers can be accompanied by a colleague, a trade union representative or a certified trade union official.
Can a grievance be raised about a manager?
Yes. The policy provides an alternative route, for example to a more senior manager or director, where the grievance concerns the employee's line manager.
How much does the Grievance Policy template cost?
£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. It is a one-off payment with no subscription, and you download branded PDF and editable Word files straight away.
Free guides
General information, not legal advice. Requirements differ between buyers and change over time; always check the tender documents.