Grievance and dispute resolution policy

In instances of workplace discrimination, bullying and harassment, complaints may be made and will be handled in accordance with Discrimination Bullying and Harassment Procedure.

We recognize that disputes and grievances may arise in the workplace from time to time and we acknowledge the rights of employees to raise these concerns. This policy articulates the procedures for resolving grievances/disputes within Labouroo Group Pty/Ltd and the rights and responsibilities of Labouroo Group Pty/Ltd employees regarding the resolution of grievances or disputes.

Grievances/disputes in the workplace may arise for various reasons including, but not limited to; bullying, harassment or discrimination, grievances between a staff member and their Manager/Supervisor or between staff members; or issues related to internal Labouroo Group Pty/Ltd processes. All grievances/disputes are to be dealt with as detailed in this policy.

During the resolution of a grievance or dispute work is to continue as normal unless there is an imminent risk to the health and safety of any persons. The resolutions of employee grievances/disputes managed through this policy are to be treated with strict confidentiality and are to be addressed promptly and fairly.

PCBU/Supervisors/Managers must:

Review all formal grievances and disputes as they are presented and choose an appropriate course of action;
Ensure all relevant legislation and company policies are adhered to;
Maintain comprehensive records of all formal grievances and disputes;
Take reasonable steps to ensure Employees, Contractors and Other Persons at Labouroo Group Pty/Ltd are not victimised or subjected to other behaviour in breach of this Policy because they have made, are respondent to or are otherwise involved in a grievance or dispute legitimately raised;
Making reasonable resources available to assist Employees, Contractors and Other Persons at Labouroo Group Pty/Ltd in relation to raising or responding to and resolving grievances and disputes; and
Advising Employees of reasonable internal and external support to raise or respond to and resolve grievances and disputes.

Employees must:

Be responsible for their own behaviours, including reasonably raising or responding to grievances and disputes;
Report and resolve any grievances and disputes at its inception, before it has the opportunity to escalate;
Provide statements at the request of the Managers, Supervisors and HR representatives if they are witnesses to a grievances issue;
Never make frivolous claims or raise a grievance or dispute with the intention of seeking retaliation or harming another person;
Respect due process and maintain confidentiality at all times.

Employees are encouraged to proactively manage legitimate concerns, issues or complaints by:

Step 1: The parties to the dispute must first try to resolve the dispute at the workplace through informal discussion between themselves
Step 2: If the dispute is not resolved through discussion as mentioned in Step 1, they must then try to resolve the dispute at the workplace through informal discussion between the employee or employees concerned and the relevant Labouroo Supervisor/Manager.
Step 3: If the dispute is not resolved through discussion as mentioned in Step 1 and Step 2, the parties to the dispute must then try to resolve it in a timely manner at the workplace through discussion between the employee or employees concerned and more senior levels of management, as appropriate or
Step 4: Raising the issue with their Labouroo HR representative.
If the matter remains unresolved: If the dispute is unable to be resolved at the workplace and all appropriate steps have been taken, a party to the dispute may refer it to an agreed third party for mediation.