Legal Definitions - grieve

To grieve, in a legal or procedural context, means to formally challenge or dispute a decision, action, or condition through an established complaint resolution process, often referred to as a "grievance procedure." This process is typically set up to address disagreements, perceived injustices, or violations of rules, policies, or agreements within an organization, such as a workplace, educational institution, or other structured environment.

• Example 1 (Workplace - Individual Employee): An employee believes they were unfairly passed over for a promotion, despite having more experience and qualifications than the selected candidate. They suspect the decision was based on favoritism rather than merit.

  Explanation: The employee decides to grieve the promotion decision. They initiate a formal complaint through their company's internal grievance procedure, submitting documentation and arguments to challenge the outcome and request a review of the selection process.

• Example 2 (Workplace - Unionized Environment): A union representing factory workers discovers that the company has implemented new safety protocols without consulting the union, which they believe violates a clause in their collective bargaining agreement requiring joint safety committee approval for such changes.

  Explanation: The union decides to grieve the company's action. They file a formal grievance with management, citing the specific contractual violation and seeking to have the new protocols rescinded or properly negotiated.

• Example 3 (Educational Institution): A university student receives a failing grade on a major assignment and believes the professor did not apply the grading rubric consistently, resulting in an unjust score compared to classmates with similar work.

  Explanation: The student decides to grieve the assignment grade. They follow the university's academic grievance procedure, submitting a written appeal and evidence to formally dispute the grade and request a re-evaluation by an impartial party.