Grievance procedure- dragging on

[AMillionMugsNoTeabags]

A friend of mine (genuinely not me!) put in a grievance 11 weeks ago. All done in accordance with the dept policy, the grievance mostly related to the behaviour of her manager. Said manager went off sick with stress almost immediately.

HR have “paused” the grievance procedure because they need to get manager’s side of the story and can’t while he’s off sick.

We’re Civil service so the sickness policy is v generous. Can the manager just avoid the grievance while he’s off sick? It doesn’t seem fair on my friend who just wants the investigation completed at this point but equally it doesn’t seem fair on the manager to investigate if he can’t contribute… the policy doesn’t say anything about what happens in this situation… it doesn’t seem fair on anyone

This is all that can be done. They have to speak to both sides so it has to be paused.

How could they investigate without his input?

You’re right of course and if it were me, I’d want a fair opportunity to state my case. it’s just causing my friend more and more stress the longer it continues with no idea how long or even if it will ever get resolved.

It's annoying for your friend but what's the alternative? They can't really investigate properly without getting the manager's perspective but the manager is currently too unwell to participate in the process. It isn't ideal but just one of those things.

Unfortunately it will have to wait for the managers return as she cant be interviewed whilst off sick unless she agree’s. Grievances are frustrating. My old manager put in a grievance (later upheld) and went off sick with the stress of it, but she wanted to give her evidence when off as she was keen to get it concluded but its always voluntary. Not fair to force someone off sick to participate.