Formal grievance letter

Letter raising a formal grievance under the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures, with chronology, evidence, and remedy sought.

Draft template. This letter is being reviewed by a regulated solicitor before publication. You can use it now as a starting point, but read the surrounding guide carefully and consider getting free legal advice before sending.

The ACAS Code on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (s.207A TULRCA 1992) requires fair process. Tribunal can uplift compensation up to 25% for unreasonable non-compliance with the Code. Send by recorded delivery and email — keep proof. If the grievance is about discrimination, consider also starting ACAS Early Conciliation in parallel to protect the 3-month Tribunal time limit.

AI cross-check (2026-06-15) — pending regulated solicitor sign-off

This letter cites the following authority, which the AI has checked against current GOV.UK / legislation.gov.uk:

  • ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures: confirmed currently in force (2015 edition). The right to be accompanied at a grievance hearing is under section 10 Employment Relations Act 1999.
  • Section 207A Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRCA 1992): confirmed currently in force; this is the statutory basis for the Tribunal's power to uplift or reduce compensation by up to 25% for unreasonable non-compliance with the ACAS Code.
  • 25% compensation uplift: confirmed under s.207A TULRCA 1992. The Tribunal has discretion (not a mandatory uplift) — correctly described as what the Tribunal "can" do.
  • Protection against victimisation for raising a grievance: the letter references this protection generally. For protected disclosures (whistleblowing), the protection is under Part IVA ERA 1996. For other grievances, some protection may arise under unfair dismissal provisions or discrimination law if the grievance relates to a protected characteristic.
  • 3-month Tribunal time limit: confirmed under section 111(2) ERA 1996 and s.123 Equality Act 2010 (for discrimination claims). ACAS Early Conciliation pauses the limitation period — confirmed under s.207B ERA 1996.

Reviewer focus areas: (1) Confirm whether the Employment Rights Bill 2025–2026 has amended the grievance process requirements or the ACAS Code in any way that affects this letter. (2) Check whether the Tribunal time limit has been extended by the Employment Rights Bill (proposals to extend to 6 months are in circulation). (3) The protection against victimisation referenced in the letter should be clarified — it does not apply to all grievances equally; reviewer should ensure users understand this limitation.

This AI cross-check is an aid only; final sign-off requires a regulated solicitor.

Your details

For example: "Bullying by line manager since January 2024" or "Underpayment of overtime since promotion"

Dates, who said/did what, witnesses, any previous attempts to raise the issue.

For example: "Investigation, apology, change of line manager, training, backdated pay correction"

Letter preview

Fill in your details on the left and press Preview letter.

Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. You should seek qualified legal help if your situation requires it.