Grievance procedure
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From: Civil Service HR
- Published on: 19 January 2026
- Last updated on: 19 January 2026
It is civil service policy to ensure that managers and staff encourage and maintain good employee relations, in order to ensure a motivated workforce and an efficient service.
Grievances will be dealt with fairly, speedily and close to the point of origin.
Every effort will be made to ensure that all workers are aware of the grievance procedures and will not suffer any detriment from exercising their right to raise a grievance or dispute.
Managers should be trained to handle grievances efficiently and effectively.
Informal stage
If you have a grievance or dispute about your employment you should discuss it informally with your immediate manager.
Formal grievance procedure
If you feel that the matter has not been resolved satisfactorily through informal discussions, you can make a formal complaint in accordance with the grievance procedure as set out in Circular 11/2001.
Under this procedure issues can be referred by the Personnel Officer to the Mediation Officer. Certain complaints are excluded from referral to mediation. These include:
- Disciplinary action
- Selection for promotion
- Selection for assignment to a post carrying an allowance or to a post abroad or placement on a higher scale
- Exclusion from competitions or from consideration for promotion on grounds of health/sick leave