Client-focused
employment solicitors offering a bespoke service.
Fighting for compensation
that you are rightly entitled to receive.
Personally assigned
claims handler to see your case through to the end.
Oakwood Solicitors Ltd has a dedicated team of leading Employment law solicitors and support staff, helping clients nationwide.
We are able to offer expert advice on all potential claims you may have against your employer, in both Employment Tribunals and the Civil Courts. We work to maximise your damages whilst keeping all costs to a minimum.
Information regarding our fees can be found in the following places:
We advise reading through these in detail.
All fees charged by the Firm are 20% VAT payable, which is currently set at 20%.
What is a grievance?
A grievance at work is an issue or problem that an employee might want to raise with their employer. A grievance procedure should be followed if an employee puts a formal complaint in writing to their employer.
Should I raise a grievance?
It is always best to try and resolve matters with your employer informally first however, if your work-related issue cannot be resolved informally or it is perhaps too serious for it to be resolved informally, it may be appropriate to raise a formal grievance.
A grievance can be made at any time during your employment. If you make a claim before an Employment Tribunal regarding the work-related issue that you are unhappy about without having first raised a grievance, then the Employment Tribunal may in some circumstances reduce the amount of compensation that you would have otherwise been awarded.
How do I raise a grievance?
Your workplace should have a grievance procedure, most likely set out in a Staff Handbook. If your workplace does not have a grievance procedure, then you can follow ACAS guidance in relation to raising a grievance.
If you need help drafting a complicated grievance then please contact Oakwood Solicitors for further advice as we may be able to assist you on a private retainer basis.
What happens after I have raised a grievance?
Your employer should respond to your written grievance within a reasonable timeframe, even if this is to just acknowledge that they have received it.
Once you have raised a grievance you will usually be invited to a grievance meeting to discuss your grievance. You are entitled to take a colleague from work or if you belong to a trade union, a representative to this meeting.
You should be allowed to explain the problems that you are facing and your employer, in turn, they may provide solutions to resolve your concerns.
Shortly after the meeting you should be advised of the outcome of your grievance, whether it has been upheld or not. You may be notified of the outcome verbally or your employer may notify you of the outcome in writing following the meeting.
What happens if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your grievance?
Sometimes, employees may find themselves in a situation where their grievance has not been upheld and their grievance has not been successful. This could be because the employer has a different point of view from the employee or the employer is not taking the employees grievance seriously.
Whatever the details of the outcome may be – if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your grievance, you can appeal against the decision made. Your employer should have made you aware of how to appeal the grievance outcome but if they have not, look in your Staff Handbook or ACAS for guidance.
If you would like advice in relation to drafting your appeal letter, or what to expect when raising an appeal, then please contact Oakwood Solicitors for further advice as we may be able to assist you on a private retainer basis.
My employer has not dealt with my grievance. What should I do?
An employer has obligation to listen to your grievance and follow the ACAS Code in dealing with your grievance in a fair and appropriate manner.
If your employer has failed to follow the ACAS Code, your employer may be liable to pay a 25% increase in any damages you may be awarded in relation to any subsequent claim you may make against them. Please contact Oakwood Solicitors Ltd for further advice.
My grievance has been heard but nothing at work has changed. Now what?
Employees should have an end goal of what they aim to achieve in submitting their grievances.
However, just because your employer has listened to your grievance it does not mean your work-related issue will automatically disappear. If you have raised a grievance but your work-related issue has not gone away, contact Oakwood Solicitors Ltd for advice on your next steps.
Can I pursue a claim to the Employment Tribunal?
Generally, an employee must start ACAS Early Conciliation within three months less a day from the incident or decision that they wish to complain to their employer about, even if the grievance or grievance appeal process is still ongoing.
If an employee does not start ACAS Early Conciliation within that time period then they may be prevented from bringing a claim against their employer before an Employment Tribunal. It is important that you seek legal advice as soon as you are able to ensure that you do not inadvertently pass the time frame in which you have to bring a claim before an Employment Tribunal.
It is also worth noting that not all grievance issues can be pursued before an Employment Tribunal, but there could be other legal remedies available. Please contact Oakwood Solicitors Ltd for further advice.
Why should I choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd?
You will have a dedicated advisor who will see your claim through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have. If it is preferable to you, we are able to assign a female advisor to carry out your claim.
Your case handler will also continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible.
Information about our Fees
Information regarding our fees can be found in the following places:
We advise reading through these in detail.
All fees charged by the Firm are 20% VAT payable, which is currently set at 20%.
If you believe or feel you have a claim, contact us for a free initial consultation regarding your options:
Fiona Almazedi has been with Oakwood Solicitors for the last 10 years working as a consultant and taking up the position of Head of Employment on the 3rd January 2024.
Fiona has over 20 years of experience in Employment Law both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Qualifying as a solicitor in 2006, Fiona has for many years successfully represented Claimants nationally and locally and covers all areas of Employment Law, including complex Whistleblowing and Discrimination, Unfair Dismissal and TUPE.
Fiona has extensive experience of all aspects of the Employment Tribunal process and regularly represents Claimants and Respondents at Final and Preliminary hearings and has secured many high value awards for her Clients over the years.
You are leaving Oakwood Solicitors' website.
Please click here to continue to the Oakwood Property Solicitors' website.
ContinueCookies
This website uses cookies. You can read more information about why we do this, and what they are used for here.