Improve line management to reduce grievances

Workplace stress and grievances brought on by issues with pay, bullying and harassment, and relations with management are expected to accelerate in the coming year. These predictions have been made following survey of 5,000 senior HR professionals by City law firm Speechly Bircham and King’s College London HRM Learning Board.

Those who reported bullying and harassment as the main cause of grievance more than doubled during the recession – from 15% to 31%, and 29% of respondents reported an increase in grievances in 2009. 23% anticipate future increases in grievances.

The survey showed an 8% increase (to 38%) in HR staff who reported rising levels of stress among staff. Stuart Woollard, co-author of the survey said “Management have had to be tougher, conditions are more stressful, and there are higher levels of uncertainty, so there has been deterioration between senior and line managers and the people being asked to make sacrifices.”

39% HR professionals blamed the downfall in relationships between managers and workers as being the main reason grievances were lodged last year and 32% expect relations with managers to be main cause of grievances in 2010.
HR is already focused on limiting these grievances through improved staff engagement. Trying to improve engagement by working to develop better staff relationships with line managers and trying to create more effective leadership and management could help re-motivate and energise the workforce. Then it is likely that fewer grievances will be raised.