Organizations with unions usually have a procedure that has been negotiated between management and the union. If you are employed by such an organization, you will probably have a union representative with you at all steps in the grievance process. The final decision is made by an arbitrator. Studies show that about 62 percent of non-union companies also have formal grievance procedures. Many government or government-funded organizations are required by law to have them.
Some smaller organizations have no such process.
You need to know your organization's procedure before filing a grievance. In non-union organizations, you typically have no assistance filing a grievance, and the organization's personnel director or chief executive officer probably makes the final decision. Complaints of discrimination or sexual harassment often receive special attention. Such cases may require a different procedure. You should make every attempt to resolve a conflict with your supervisor before filing a grievance.