What is the difference between a grievance and a complaint?
Grievance and complaint are two separate terms in the context of employment law in Virginia. A grievance is an official request made to an employer about some aspect of the employee’s job, such as salary, benefits, working conditions or discrimination. It is usually made in writing and serves as a formal statement of discontent. A grievance is generally a way to reach a formal resolution to a problem the employee is facing at work and is tracked from start to finish. A complaint is an informal way for an employee to voice their dissatisfaction. Complaints don’t usually have to be in writing and don’t necessarily need to be addressed by the employer unless certain legal requirements are met. Complaints often come in the form of verbal statements made to the employee’s supervisor or manager and may be informal conversations as opposed to proper documentation. Whereas a grievance is an official recourse with detailed steps to be followed, complaints are generally more informal and can be handled without necessarily having to follow a specific set of rules. Employees have the right to lodge either a grievance or complaint under Virginia’s employment law.
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