The importance of knowing the difference between grievance, bullying and harassment

  • Employee Conduct
The importance of knowing the difference between grievance, bullying and harassment
Nóra Cashe

Nóra Cashe, Litigation Manager

(Last updated )

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First published: February 25th, 2015
Last updated: October 25th, 2023

The terms “grievance, bullying and harassment” are sometimes used interchangeably by employees when raising a concern with their employer.

However, from a legal point of view, each term relates to a distinct HR issue and the response of both the employer and the employee will be dictated by the employment laws and regulations that apply to the particular issue that has been raised.

Given the significant focus placed on procedural fairness by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), it's absolutely vital that employers understand how to identify each complaint and the correct process to follow if employees raise a workplace concern.

Grievance, bullying or harassment?

While these issues may be found close to one another in the Employee Handbook, it’s vital that employers know the difference between each type of complaint.

In short, a grievance is generally an employee complaint about their rights and entitlements.

A bullying complaint will be made if an employee is the victim of ‘repeated’ inappropriate behaviour, physical, verbal or otherwise.

A harassment complaint relates to unwanted conduct that is connected to any of the nine grounds under the Employment Equality Acts. A one-off incident is sufficient for unwanted conduct to be deemed ‘harassment’.

Why is the distinction important?

The distinction is important primarily due to the different procedural requirements that employers are obliged to follow for each one.

Each complaint has its own separate and unique Code of Practice, with each code setting out different requirements for the three types of complaint.

Grievances

Grievances are dealt with under S.I. No. 146/2000. The Code of Practice on Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures (Grievance Code) requires employers to apply the general principles of natural justice and fair procedures to the resolution of a grievance.

The Grievance Code states that attempts to resolve the matter informally should first be made and if this is not suitable then the matter should go through a formal hearing process.

In practice, the Grievance Code allows employers a greater degree of scope and flexibility in investigating and resolving grievances than what is required in a bullying or harassment investigation.

Bullying

In 2021, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) together with the WRC developed a new Code of Practice on dealing with bullying complaints.

The Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work (Bullying Code) updates two existing Codes of Practice that both agencies had developed separately.

The Bullying Code contains useful guidance for both employers and employees around the difference between behaviour that falls under the harassment heading and behaviour that falls under the bullying heading.

Your anti-bullying and harassment policy should include a section on the classification of employee complaints.

Some complaints may relate to a general conflict scenario that demands a different resolution process from an allegation of bullying or harassment.
It’s vital that all employee complaints are correctly classified to ensure they are managed and resolved appropriately.

Informal resolution processes

The Bullying Code also includes further guidelines and advice on the informal resolution of complaints of bullying within the work area.

The Bullying Code reinforces that employers should progress complaints informally where possible.

A voluntary mediation process may allow the individuals concerned to resolve their issues and improve their working relationship.

The Bullying Code recommends that employers have a primary and secondary informal resolution process for dealing with bullying complaints.

Some complaints or employees may not be satisfied with an informal approach. In this scenario, a secondary informal resolution process should offer a more structured procedure that ensures that the victim knows the issue is being managed carefully.

Harassment

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission published an updated Code of Practice on Sexual Harassment and Harassment at Work (Harassment Code) in 2022.

The Harassment Code contains guidance that employers should consider as part of updating to their policy and procedures in the areas of equality and dignity and respect.

In particular an updated policy should state:

Complaints procedure

The Harassment Code places particular emphasis on ensuring that all employers have an effective complaints’ procedure for dealing with allegations of harassment. It sets out core elements of the complaints’ procedure which should include a timely investigation with express time limits.

There are detailed steps showing how organisations can carry out informal and formal complaints procedures together with how investigations can be concluded in accordance with the principles of fairness and natural justice.

Expert HR training for employee grievances

The provision of regular training is a good way to demonstrate that your workplace policies are being put into practice.

If your business takes the time and expense to train managers, supervisors and all staff on strategies to prevent harassment and all kinds of workplace misconduct, you will be in a strong position to defend any employee claims by having clear proof that you implement your HR policies.

To speak with one of our employment law experts about workplace training or any other HR query you have, call us on 1800 719 216 or leave your details with us here.

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