Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Work related - grievance

160 replies

Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 09:30

Hi, posting here for traffic!
Writing a grievance, ACAS has advised it but won’t read it prior to sending.
Can’t go to citizens advice as it is linked to my work…
is there a legitimate organisation who will read my grievance prior to sending?
it is long and covers so many issues in multiple areas, primarily disability discrimination, bullying and poor, possibly illegal practices but I am conscious I am coming from a place of high stress and emotion as well as sick with pain and don’t want to write a sprawling document that might be overkill and not taken seriously.
I’m neurodivergent and have been told I give too much info and find it really hard to pare down whilst maintaining the importance of the grievance.

thank you

OP posts:
StrictlyCoffee · 07/06/2026 10:15

Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:13

There’s very clear disability discrimination and ignoring access recommendations etc, I will follow the process to the end point whatever I am advised but I am asking for help for the first step of writing it, not the what ifs.

Show quote history

Definitely ask Chat GPT to make it more succinct. You’ll be doing everyone a favour.

Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:13

RoseField1 · 07/06/2026 09:31

Put it through chatgpt but tell it not to change the wording, just give you feedback on strengths and areas to change.

Thank you , I will try this!

OP posts:
StrictlyCoffee · 07/06/2026 10:13

Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 09:53

No, I’ve not been let go, I am not that poster, more than one person can have a work issue, I’m still employed but the relationship with my boss has broken down irreparably and not just because of my disability. Please note username and posting history, these comments are just derailing my genuine query

Show quote history

So what outcome are you looking for? Assuming that your work aren’t going to
get rid of your boss, it’ll need to be you that leaves. I am sorry you’re having a shit time but you need to think ahead and about how is this grievance actually going to serve you in any way.

Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:13

StrictlyCoffee · 07/06/2026 10:10

Grievances are generally a total waste of time. It’s probably not going to be upheld. What will you do then?

There’s very clear disability discrimination and ignoring access recommendations etc, I will follow the process to the end point whatever I am advised but I am asking for help for the first step of writing it, not the what ifs.

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:12

WineIsMyMainVice · 07/06/2026 10:10

This is the best advice so far on your post. (HR Manager here.)
If you use bullet points and as many specific examples as possible, it will help as management will have to address each one in turn.
Good luck op.

Show quote history

Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:11

ForAzureSeal · 07/06/2026 10:05

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation @Holidaymodeon . I would recommend doing a couple of different versions of this. The first is what you have now - your long version that covers everything that's happened, get it off your chest, therapy session type vent. This will never be sent!

Think very carefully about what your actual grievance is. This will have a specific definition and likely a recommended structure. Have you looked online for a template?

Also find out more about the process after the initial written submission. Are there other points where you will be asked for more detail or when you can offer more context/detail? I don't have any experience but from my experience with other HR situations, you likely don't need to convince someone from the first contact how awful it has been. Presumably this will come out in a process.

Good luck and take care.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and helpful response.
I was keeping a diary since day one then had a calamitous tech experience and lost EVERYTHING!!!
I have no access to my work emails where there’s lots of evidence, annoyingly when I went sick I nearly brought my laptop home to tie up some loose ends but decided to just pass it all on to them to manage.
i have a list but not necessarily dates, and be of the culture of the place I don’t want to bring in witnesses etc although I can state when things happened in meetings where I was refused access to essential tools or publicly humiliated , to the point where people spoke to me privately about it.
as above , there is a high staff turnover but all have given practical valid reasons not distressing ones, they are all able bodied, not nd and find it far easier to find new roles

OP posts:
StrictlyCoffee · 07/06/2026 10:10

Grievances are generally a total waste of time. It’s probably not going to be upheld. What will you do then?

WineIsMyMainVice · 07/06/2026 10:10

Lovesacake · 07/06/2026 09:56

In my experience the longer a grievance is the worse it is. It’s best to keep the main body of the grievance as succinct as possible, ideally using bullet points to make it clear what your specific complaints are. Then attach any supplementary information/evidence as appendix items. Also be very clear about what outcome you are seeking, I.e what steps can your employer take to resolve this for you.

This is the best advice so far on your post. (HR Manager here.)
If you use bullet points and as many specific examples as possible, it will help as management will have to address each one in turn.
Good luck op.

Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:07

Inmysportsmumera · 07/06/2026 09:33

join a union - they are normally only around £7-£10 per month. They will help you

Thank you, even if the issue started a year ago? I have persevered an persevered and it’s hugely impacted my physical and mental health, I’m currently off sick and feel like an untouchable, given some of the responses on this thread I have real concerns about how anyone will respond or react to my complaints.
its so damaging to trust employers to ‘do the right thing’ .
i have spent so long putting on a brave face etc because of the attitudes there and now im suffering hugely as a consequence of trying to make them feel comfortable 😭🙈🤣

OP posts:
ForAzureSeal · 07/06/2026 10:05

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation @Holidaymodeon . I would recommend doing a couple of different versions of this. The first is what you have now - your long version that covers everything that's happened, get it off your chest, therapy session type vent. This will never be sent!

Think very carefully about what your actual grievance is. This will have a specific definition and likely a recommended structure. Have you looked online for a template?

Also find out more about the process after the initial written submission. Are there other points where you will be asked for more detail or when you can offer more context/detail? I don't have any experience but from my experience with other HR situations, you likely don't need to convince someone from the first contact how awful it has been. Presumably this will come out in a process.

Good luck and take care.

rwalker · 07/06/2026 10:05

Inmysportsmumera · 07/06/2026 09:33

join a union - they are normally only around £7-£10 per month. They will help you

No they won’t absolute piss take to join just be you need them
it like insuring your house after it’s burnt down and trying to to claim

they won’t deal with existing issues and rightly so

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 07/06/2026 10:03

What support and adjustments are you asking for ?

Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:01

Lovesacake · 07/06/2026 09:56

In my experience the longer a grievance is the worse it is. It’s best to keep the main body of the grievance as succinct as possible, ideally using bullet points to make it clear what your specific complaints are. Then attach any supplementary information/evidence as appendix items. Also be very clear about what outcome you are seeking, I.e what steps can your employer take to resolve this for you.

In terms of length, what would you say is ‘too long’?

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 10:00

Lovesacake · 07/06/2026 09:56

In my experience the longer a grievance is the worse it is. It’s best to keep the main body of the grievance as succinct as possible, ideally using bullet points to make it clear what your specific complaints are. Then attach any supplementary information/evidence as appendix items. Also be very clear about what outcome you are seeking, I.e what steps can your employer take to resolve this for you.

Thanks, I think part of the issue is a don’t know what i actually want. Even if they did make all the promised adjustments recommendations from ATW, I don’t think I can continue with the boss, a real nasty character, big fish small pond, high staff turnover but talks a good talk to the board and all looks good on paper.
people are scared of the boss but none of them have disabilities so can get through.
Senior manager has ignored my request for support.

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 09:58

Samewrinklesnewname · 07/06/2026 09:55

Is this something ACAS could help with?

Hi, as in my original post, ACAS are supporting to an extent but won’t read the grievance prior to my sending it, it is not the way the process works, they’ve just advised me to follow the employer process and then once grievance etc has been taken into consideration they can get involved.

I can’t ask CA because we work together an it’s a small town, word gets around, bosses are friends and I know how this works.
sadly not in a union, I was naive and believed everything I was told, a case of be careful what you wish for…

OP posts:
Lovesacake · 07/06/2026 09:56

In my experience the longer a grievance is the worse it is. It’s best to keep the main body of the grievance as succinct as possible, ideally using bullet points to make it clear what your specific complaints are. Then attach any supplementary information/evidence as appendix items. Also be very clear about what outcome you are seeking, I.e what steps can your employer take to resolve this for you.

Samewrinklesnewname · 07/06/2026 09:55

Is this something ACAS could help with?

MNHQ
KimMumsnet · 07/06/2026 09:53

Hello, all. Please avoid derailing this thread. Although we can never vouch for any poster, we have no reason to suspect OP is spamming or misleading people with her thread here, so please avoid breaking our Talk Guidelines when you reply.

Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 09:53

ExtraOnions · 07/06/2026 09:41

Are you the poster that was let go during probation? I think you said it was due to lack of adjustment being made for your ND.

No, I’ve not been let go, I am not that poster, more than one person can have a work issue, I’m still employed but the relationship with my boss has broken down irreparably and not just because of my disability. Please note username and posting history, these comments are just derailing my genuine query

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 09:52

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Please don’t derail the thread. I am not that poster. I am a poster with a genuine grievance who can’t use the usual routes because my role is interlinked, plus we don’t have a union. Please note my username is not the same as the other poster , neither is my posting history

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 09:50

HoraceCope · 07/06/2026 09:46

that is what i understand also

Show quote history

Thank you, I will ask a friend, it is huge, I don’t want to impinge on anyone’s time, hence seeking professional but I’ll take any help I can get!

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidaymodeon · 07/06/2026 09:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

lol that is not me! I have seen these posts, completely different, check the username and posting history.
please don’t derail my genuine request

OP posts:
Tinglylips · 07/06/2026 09:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HoraceCope · 07/06/2026 09:46

Darker · 07/06/2026 09:35

Unions (well, my union) won’t help with a pre-existing issue.

Can you get a friend to read it through?

that is what i understand also

Tinglylips · 07/06/2026 09:45

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.