03. CAUSES OF GRIEVANCE

An employee is dissatisfied and harbors a grievance when he feels there has been an infringement of his rights and his interests have been jeopardized. This sense of grievance generally arises out of misinterpretation or misapplication of company policies and practices. Grievances mostly arise for the following reasons:

• Ø  Causes relating to the job :

o   The training given to perform the job isn’t adequate or incorrect

o   The employee has no capability of performing duties and responsibilities of the job

o   The employee has been entrusted to perform a duty that isn’t in the Job description given.

o   The employee is placed on a job that doesn’t match the employee’s knowledge and skills.

o   The employee has been assigned too many duties that he or she couldn’t handle. 

Ø  General working conditions :

o   Poor relationship between the superior and the employee.

o   Changing the working time or place which the employee doesn’t like.

o   There are many hazards and unpleasant conditions. Threatening health and safety of the employee.

o    The supervisor or immediate superior follows an authoritative leadership style or works prejudicially. 

o   No availability of necessary materials, equipment, and other things to perform the job successfully.

Ø  Alleged violations :

o   Working/ decision making against the past practice/precedent.

o   Making unfair/strong disciplinary actions for violation of disciplinary rules.

o   Ignoring the responsibilities of the management.

The management violates the terms of the collective agreement.

Ø  Employee inappropriate personal behavior

o   Over ambitions

o   Unrealistic self-esteem

o   Unpractical attitudes toward the life

o   Unnecessary lifestyles

o   Illegal involvements.

Ø  Collective bargaining - 

        The telecommunication is attempting to undermine the trade union and the workers who belong to that union

Ø  Management policies, procedures, and practices

o   Wage rates and methods of wage payments

o   Promotion, transfer, and seniority issues

o   Overtime and incentive payments

o   Discipline

o   Recruitment and selection

o   Performance evaluation

o   Professional training and development

o   Issues relating to employee conduct

When policies, procedures, and practices of the above become unacceptable or unfair to an employee or

employees, there will be grievances. If promotions are given as per Merit and Senior employees many have a grievance about the promotion policy.

 

3.2 Example of Grievance in the Telecommunication Industry.

1)    An employee says that his salary isn’t at par with the other team members at the same designation

 

   a.     You should have a salary slab for every position in the industry. Make sure there isn’t too much variation in the salary of employees who do similar work.

    b.    Some employees might get paid more due to their experience, profit, and last drawn salary.

    c.     You may give this employee a salary correction if his /her complaint is genuine.

1)    An employee says that he/she has been harassed or bullied by co-workers or the Manager.

a.     Make sure that all your employees are aware of the anti- harassing policy at work.

b.    Include the disciplinary action that the company will take against the employee if found guilty.

c.     Have a zero-tolerance policy for theft, harassment, drunk on duty, and insubordination.

2)     An employee says that he/she is overworked and underpaid.

a.     If you increase an employee’s workload for any reason make sure he has compensated accordingly.

b.    Workload may also increase due to a promotion. Help the employee to figure out how can the work be streamlined.

c.      If need be hire additional staff or ask someone in the team to assist this employee.

4)    An employee has been denied leave for an impotent personal event

a.     If as a manager you are denying leave to your subordinates explain clearly why it is.

b.    It’s a good idea to keep your employees informed beforehand that no leave will be granted during the peak time.

c.     Be flexible if you think that the employee’s request is genuine you may allow him to leave for 2 days.

1)    An employee feels that he has been transferred to a location he or she is not comfortable with.

a.     Picking employees for any task should be related to how well the employee will be able to handle the job.

b.    Explain to the employee why is he being transferred there.

c.     Highlight the problems the location is facing and how his or her capabilities will come in handy to manage the problem.   

 Reference 

Essays, Research Papers, and Articles on Business Management. 2022. Grievance: Characteristics, Nature and Causes. [online] Available at: <https://www.businessmanagementideas.com/human-resources-management/grievance-handling/grievance-characteristics-nature-and-causes/4620> [Accessed 9 May 2022].

Verasai, A., 2022. What are the leading causes of employee grievances?. [online] The HR Digest. Available at: <https://www.thehrdigest.com/what-are-the-leading-causes-of-employee-grievances/> [Accessed 9 May 2022].