Grievance Question

[js1000]

Hi,
Is there any legal time limit to arrange a Grievance meeting.I raised grievance on the 23rd Feb by email but I am still waiting for meeting.
What should I do if they do not consider having a meeting or take even longer.
ANY HELP ?
Regards,
Js1000

[flowerybeanbag]

There's no specific legal time limit, but it should be prompt and without unreasonable delay.

What have they said to you so far?
What does your grievance policy say about timings?
Have you got any reason to think they are not even considering having a meeting?

You should speak to the person you raised the grievance with, check they received it and ask for confirmation of when the hearing will be.

[js1000]

I was told by HR because our companies Grievance procedure is being amended therefore for time being they are following ACAS guidelines .In our old policy time limit was 5 working days.
I think they are not condidering having a meeting because last week I had recieved a letter saying that because my grievance is based on flexible working n i already had an appeal meeting therefore grievance can not be held.
in response, i emailed HR that i m not appealing , i am grieving for not following the procedures properly, deteriment that i had faced (loss of wages)because of going on maternity(i used to earn more before going on maternity leave for doing same job)
I will talk to our head of the dept tmrw.
thanks

[tigerdriver]

They must hold the grievance as soon as they reasonably are able to do so.

The new guidelines do not affect your current grievance, they only come into play after 5 April.

If your grievance is different from your flex working req then they should hear your grievance.

If it's connected might be more complicated - if the outcome of your flex working req wasn't what you wanted for example.

Remember that you have rights under SDA as well as flex working.

[js1000]

Thanks Tiger Driver, Thanks for your advice, my grievance is not entirely about flexible working.
Though I am complaining for sex discrimination for not following the procedure and for detriment that I have suffered because of pregnancy e.g. Loss of pay ?I used to get more money before going on maternity leave for doing same job. Now I have to report to new line manager, he is of same grade as I am, In fact joined 2 year after joined. Which I find quite was degrading to my role as he has no educational background or experience of my field.
I feel to low and tearful going to work as if I have done a big crime to get pregnant and to request for flexible working.

[tigerdriver]

All the best, hope your talk with head of department goes well.

[minniesandra]

Hi,
May I suggest that you also checkout Working Families, which is a charity that offers free advice to parents with employment issues: www.workingfamilies.org.uk

Since becoming a Mum I have setup 'FlexReq' which is a FREE service for parents to help them make their statutory flexible work requests.

Good luck

[tigerdriver]

minniesandra, the new proposals for flex working requests came out today. This might help a lot of people.

[js1000]

Little Update from side,
Yesterday, I was called for informal meeting (after 5 weeks of Grievance) by HR manager where I was told that some part of my grievance are based upon flexible working application so they can not deal with it nor with issues related to FW. They also refused to answer SDA questionnaire as I m claiming for indirect sex discrimination by not following correct procedures and not proving me complete information). I was told that head of the dept would like to have a meeting with me but decision of flexible working is permanent as i already had an appeal meeting.
I think I would like to take them to tribunal ,what are your opinion if i present my case myself as i am going through very rough financial time (like most of us )
or can u suggest some not very expensive lawyer.

[flowerybeanbag]

I would strongly advise you not to do this yourself if at all possible.

The theory is that you can bring a claim to a tribunal without legal help but your claim is not straightforward from what I can gather, and I would definitely advise you not to attempt it on your own.

Have you been to see the CAB? I would suggest them as a first port of call.

[js1000]

Thanks Flowery!
You are right I shouldnt do it myself.
Any suggestion on lawyers Please? Any One ? I am in West London.
JS1000