1. Meaning and Definition of Grievance

• Employee dissatisfaction or feeling of injustice related to employment conditions.
• Can be expressed or unexpressed, valid or invalid.
• Examples: wages, leave, transfer, promotion, seniority, job assignment, discharge.

2. Causes of Grievances

• Working conditions: Improper placement, tight schedules, poor tools, bad physical conditions, poor supervisor relationship.
• Management policy: Wage rates, leave, overtime, seniority, transfer, promotion, demotion, discharge, hostility to union.
• Violation of:
  • Collective bargaining agreement.
  • Laws and past practices.
  • Organisational rules.
  • Management’s responsibility.
• Personal maladjustment: Over-ambition, excessive self-esteem, impractical attitude.

3. Effects of Grievances

• Lack of interest and commitment.
• Low productivity and high waste.
• Increased absenteeism and turnover.
• Indiscipline, unrest, and more disciplinary cases.

4. Discovering Grievances

• Exit interviews.
• Gripe boxes (anonymous complaints).
• Opinion surveys and group meetings.
• Open door policy (limited in large organisations).

5. Grievance Procedure (Model)

• Step I: Aggrieved employee → designated officer; reply within 48 hours.
• Step II: If unsatisfied, → head of department; reply within 3 days.
• Step III: → grievance committee; recommendations to manager within 7 days; management decision within 3 days.
• Step IV: Appeal to management for revision; decision within a week.
• Step V: If no agreement, voluntary arbitration within a week.
• For discharge/dismissal, separate procedure applies.

6. Methods of Conflict Resolution

• Negotiation and direct bargaining.
• Conciliation and mediation.
• Voluntary arbitration.
• Compulsory adjudication (labour courts, tribunals).

Questions asked

Topic: Grievance Handling, Discipline and Industrial Peace

1. Define grievance and describe its causes and grievance handling machinery. (2011)
2. 'Employees' Health Problems are varied and inevitable.' Discuss with emphasis on health promotion. (2010)
3. Write a note on Conflict Resolution. (2010)
4. Write a note on Industrial Peace. (2018)
5. Examine the meaning, causes and effects of 'grievances'. (2018)
6. Examine the role of grievance handling machinery. (2016)
7. Write a note on the concept and objectives of Workers Participation in Management. (2013)
8. Discuss major methods of conflict resolution. (2013)
9. Describe the important methods of conflict resolution. (2014)
10. Examine the important methods of conflict resolution. (2015)
11. Examine the various forms of workers' participation in Management. (2014)
12. Write a brief note on 'Industrial Peace'. (2018)
13. Examine the purpose of assessing Human Resource Management effectiveness. (2018)
14. Write a note on the concept of negative discipline. (2021)
15. Describe the features of Industrial Peace. (2021)
16. Examine the important methods of conflict resolution. (2024)