Grievance Policy

1. DTV is committed to developing and maintaining constructive relations with its employees.  This non-contractual policy and procedure provides a framework for dealing with grievances, individual and collective, arising in the course of employment or at events sufficiently connected to employment.
2. DTV will act fairly and consistently when dealing with all grievance cases.
3. This policy will give effect to the principle that, in their areas of professional expertise, staff engaged will have freedom within the law to hold and express opinion, to question and test established ideas and received wisdom and to present controversial or unpopular points of view without placing in jeopardy their employment or any entitlements or privileges they enjoy.
4. DTV will seek to resolve employment issues at the lowest possible level and, where appropriate, on an informal basis.
5. DTV will carry out any necessary investigations to establish the facts in any particular case and will do so without unreasonable delay.
6. An employee has the right to be accompanied at any formal meeting and related appeal by a work colleague, a duly accredited Trade Union representative or an official employed by a Trade Union and may also be accompanied on request at investigatory meetings.
7. If an employee has particular requirements at any stage of the procedures because of a disability, or wishes to inform DTV of any relevant medical condition, the employee should contact the appropriate Human Resources representative.
8. DTV may commence the process using one procedure but continue the process using a different procedure if it is more appropriate and reasonable to do so.
9. Notes of formal meetings will be taken, these will be summaries of the key points and not a verbatim record.  Copies of these notes will be given to the parties present and they should inform DTV if they wish to comment on the accuracy of the notes within 3 working days of receiving them.  It is normally expected that all documentation including witness statements will be shared with relevant parties [except where DTV has to withhold some information to protect a witness].  DTV will keep a written record of every grievance case which will be treated as confidential and kept in accordance with the Data Protection Laws.  Notes of informal meetings may also be taken where appropriate.
10. Training and coaching of managers operating the procedure will be available.  Advice and guidance on the application of the Grievance Procedure will be provided by Human Resources and a Human Resources Representative may be present at any stage in the process.