grievance

A grievance is a real or perceived wrong or injustice that a person believes warrants redress. The term can refer to a personal sense of mistreatment as well as a formal complaint filed with an organization, a government body, or a court. Etymologically, grievance derives from Old French and Latin roots related to weight or seriousness, reflecting the perceived gravity of the issue.

Grievances commonly arise in several contexts. In the workplace, an employee or group may raise a formal grievance about pay, benefits, working conditions, safety, harassment, discrimination, or managerial decisions. Many organizations implement grievance procedures that outline steps for raising the issue, investigating facts, communicating findings, and resolving the dispute, sometimes through mediation, arbitration, or escalation to higher authorities. In consumer affairs and public administration, grievances concern service failures, policy outcomes, or perceived injustices, with dedicated channels for review or appeal.

Key elements of a grievance include a clear statement of the issue, relevant facts and evidence, the impact on the grievant, and a desired remedy or remedy timeline. Documentation and confidentiality are often important to protect both the complainant and the party accused or involved.

An outcome may range from policy changes or compensation to reinstatement or exoneration. If not resolved, grievances may be escalated to higher management, external ombudspersons, unions, or courts. Grievances differ from simple complaints in their emphasis on perceived injustices within a system and the formal mechanisms designed to address them.