Grievance letter template

£9.99

UK-specific • Editable • Instant download • 12 months' updates

If an employee wishes to raise a grievance about a workplace issue, they can submit this model letter template to you.

Grievance letter template
2026 Reviewed
Specifications
Access 12 months (includes updates)
Length 1 page • 85 words
Jurisdiction England, Wales and Scotland
Based on UK employment law, ACAS guidance
Last review 01/09/2026
Next review 01/03/2027
Delivery Instant download
Formats .doc · .txt · email

Download .doc

Copy [to paste]

Email
Template

[Sender name]

[Sender address]

[date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

 

Dear [Recipient first name],

Grievance

I am writing to tell you that I wish to raise a grievance.

This action is being considered with regard to the following circumstances:

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What is a grievance letter?

Grievance letter template preview

A grievance letter is a formal letter written by an employee to their employer to raise a concern or complaint about a workplace issue, such as discrimination, harassment, bullying, unfair treatment, or any other violation of their rights. The purpose of a grievance letter is to inform the employer of the issue and to request a resolution or action to address the problem.

The letter should be written in a clear and concise manner, outlining the specific details of the issue or incident, including dates, times, and any witnesses present. The letter should also state the desired outcome or resolution, such as an apology, compensation, or a change in policy or procedure.

It is important to note that a grievance letter should only be used as a last resort after attempting to resolve the issue through informal means, such as speaking with a supervisor or human resources representative. Additionally, the letter should be written in a professional and respectful tone, avoiding any inflammatory or accusatory language.

The wider HR process

Related HR resources and workflow

Explore the HR resources that may be relevant before and / or after using the Grievance letter, helping you understand the wider process, maintain appropriate documentation and follow a consistent approach.

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HR considerations

UK employment law and best practice

This template is designed to support the process, but the document should be used alongside the relevant HR procedure and applied to the circumstances of the individual case.

  • The ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures: Employers are encouraged to follow this code, which sets out best practice guidance on how to handle grievances.

  • The Equality Act 2010: Employers must not discriminate against an employee who has submitted a grievance letter. This includes discrimination based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

  • The Employment Rights Act 1996: Employees have a statutory right to raise a grievance with their employer. Employers must investigate the grievance and take appropriate action.

  • The Data Protection Act 2018: Employers must ensure that any personal data collected during the grievance process is processed in accordance with data protection regulations.

  • The Human Rights Act 1998: Employees have the right to a fair and impartial investigation into their grievance.

Employers should also ensure that they have a clear grievance procedure in place, which outlines the steps that will be taken to investigate and resolve grievances. This procedure should be communicated to all employees, and employers should ensure that they follow it consistently and fairly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this in my small business?

Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.

Is it compliant with 2026 UK employment law?

Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.

Can I customise it for my organisation?

Yes, we highlight the areas of the document that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.

Do I get instant access to it?

Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.

What if I need more help, not just this template?

If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Grievance letter template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.

Why should I use this Grievance letter template, and not AI to generate it?

AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.

How this content is developed and reviewed

The Grievance letter template is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates and supporting information are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing grievance HR processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.

Executive recommendation

"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."

RB
Ruth Brock Chief Executive Officer The Hygiene Bank
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