What is the difference between a grievance and a complaint?

In Washington state, a grievance and complaint are two different types of issues that can arise in an employment setting. A grievance is typically an employee-initiated action taken when the employee is not satisfied with the outcome of an employment decision or situation. Examples of grievances might include a disagreement with how a disciplinary action was handled, the final outcome of a salary negotiation, or a decision not to promote the employee. A grievance could also be submitted by a collective of employees when there is a disagreement between the employer and employees concerning wages, hours, benefits, or working conditions. A complaint is a more formal employer-initiated action taken when the employer is not satisfied with a situation or an employee’s performance. Common examples of complaints include employees not adhering to company policies, not performing job duties, or not meeting minimum standards of performance. Complaints also involve allegations of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. The main difference between grievances and complaints is the person who initiates the action. Grievances are initiated by employees, while complaints are initiated by employers. Grievances involve the employee seeking a resolution or redress for a situation, while complaints involve the employer trying to correct the situation or the employee’s performance. Both types of action are covered under Washington state’s employment law.

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What is the difference between a grievance and a complaint?

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