Tips for grievance interviews

TIPS FOR GRIEVANCE INTERVIEWS

BE PATIENT The member may need to calm down before they can give an accurate account of the incident.

ALWAYS TAKE COMPREHENSIVE AND ACCURATE NOTES Your notes can be critical to the outcome of a grievance. Taking notes also conveys to the member that their concern is being taken seriously. Some information may not seem important at first, but could become crucial to the case later on.

USE THE SGEU ISSUE/GRIEVANCE PREPARATION FORM This document will help to complete a full investigation of the matter and will remain on file at the SGEU office. In the event the grievance is appealed to a higher level of the grievance process, the investigative work will be preserved for other union grievance officers.

LET THE MEMBER TELL THEIR STORY Make sure that you take enough time with the member. Listen to what they say without giving an opinion or making empty promises. Let them tell the whole story, taking notes so that you can follow up on specific details later. Alternatively, get them to write a detailed account of what happened. Question any witnesses where appropriate, using the same techniques.

THINK ABOUT THE SOLUTION How should the issue be resolved? During the course of the initial interview, a solution to the problem or complaint may arise. Prepare for the possibility of a full-blown grievance. Begin to think about the remedy you will seek to correct the injustice.

ASSESS THE INFORMATION Review all the information you have compiled. Can you prove that there is a violation?