Workplace Grievance Letter
Raise a formal workplace grievance under the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
When to use this template
Use this when you have a serious complaint about your treatment at work — such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, unfair treatment, or a breach of your employment contract — and informal attempts to resolve the matter have failed. Raising a formal grievance is often a prerequisite before bringing an Employment Tribunal claim.
When NOT to use this template
Do not use this for minor workplace frustrations that could be resolved informally. Think carefully about timing: raising a grievance immediately before a disciplinary hearing may be seen as tactical, whereas genuinely unresolved issues should be raised promptly.
Legal Basis
ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures 2015 (revised 2009); Employment Relations Act 1999, s.10 (right to be accompanied); Employment Rights Act 1996. Failure by an employer to follow the ACAS Code can result in an Employment Tribunal uplifting any award by up to 25%.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Not putting the grievance in writing — an email or letter starts the formal process
- ✗Being too vague — identify specific incidents with dates, times, and witnesses
- ✗Not invoking your right to be accompanied at the grievance meeting under s.10 ERA 1999
- ✗Not appealing an unsatisfactory outcome — the ACAS Code requires employers to offer a right of appeal
Build Your Letter
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Letter preview
[YOUR FULL NAME] [YOUR JOB TITLE] [YOUR DEPARTMENT] [DATE OF LETTER] [MANAGER'S NAME (OR HR)] [MANAGER'S TITLE] [COMPANY NAME] --- Dear [MANAGER'S NAME (OR HR)], **FORMAL GRIEVANCE** I am writing to raise a formal grievance in accordance with [COMPANY NAME]'s grievance procedure and the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. **Background** I have been employed by [COMPANY NAME] as [YOUR JOB TITLE] since [YOUR EMPLOYMENT START DATE]. I have endeavoured to resolve the matter informally, but have been unable to do so and am therefore raising this formal grievance. **Nature of my grievance** My grievance concerns: [FULL DETAILS OF YOUR GRIEVANCE] **Chronology of key events** [CHRONOLOGY OF KEY EVENTS WITH DATES] **Witnesses** The following people witnessed or have knowledge of the matters described above: [NAMES OF ANY WITNESSES] **How this has affected me** [HOW THE SITUATION HAS AFFECTED YOU] **Resolution sought** I ask that you: [WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN] **Right to be accompanied** I wish to exercise my statutory right under Section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 to be accompanied at the grievance meeting by [YOUR CHOSEN COMPANION]. **Request for meeting** I ask that a grievance meeting be arranged within a reasonable time of receipt of this letter. Please confirm the date, time, and location of the meeting. Yours sincerely, [YOUR FULL NAME] [YOUR JOB TITLE]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.