Employer guide: handling trivial or repetitive employee grievances

By Darren Newman, Brightmine Consultant Editor

Handling employee grievances can be challenging for HR teams, especially when faced with repetitive, trivial, or previously resolved complaints. Many employers struggle to balance the need for a fair and transparent grievance process with the growing pressure that persistent or unfounded grievances can place on management time and organisational resources. Yet responding dismissively or inconsistently can increase the risk of legal claims, employee relations issues, and reputational damage.

Our guide explains how HR professionals can approach these grievances with clarity and confidence—using proven frameworks, compliant processes, and expert‑led recommendations. You’ll learn how to resolve issues quickly, minimise disruption, and protect your organisation from costly legal or employee relations pitfalls.

In this guide, learn about:

• The grievance procedure
• Handling grievances informally
• False or malicious allegations
• Frivolous or trivial grievances
• The grievance meeting
• Grievances that repeat earlier complaints
• Reopening previous grievances
• Grievances that relate to an ongoing complaint

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