What should a collective grievance process look like?

Paragraph 47 of the Acas Code of practice on Disciplinary and Grievance procedures describes a collective grievance as a grievance raised on behalf of two or more employees by a representative of a recognised trade union or other appropriate workplace representative.

There is no specific statutory provision relating to collective grievances, and the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures does not apply to a collective grievance.

In its October 2020 response to the second annual Labour Market Enforcement strategy, the government accepted the recommendation to work with Acas to consider the issue of collective grievances and the implications of including guidance in the Code of Practice.

Until that happens, the Code of Practice states that collective grievances should be handled in accordance with the organisation’s collective grievance process. It does not say how they should be handled if the organisation does not have such a process.

For further information, see:

1. •

   the section of Practice Note: Acas disciplinary and grievance code—procedural requirements entitled Grievance