Impetus and definitions
The guidelines state that employers should provide employees with a safe environment to raise their concerns, including through a proper grievance handling process. What entails a safe environment and are there any resources to develop a grievance handling process?
- For information on how to set up a proper grievance handling process, employers can take reference from the TGFEP. These include setting up mechanisms to deal with complaints and communicating these procedures to employees, training HR staff and line managers to manage and investigate grievances independently and objectively and observing the confidentiality of affected employees.
- Other resources on grievance handling, including a Grievance Handling Handbook, can be found on the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP’s) website.
How does the TGFEP define “non-work-related”? How would team bonding activities be classified?
- Non-work-related activities are those that are not related to an employees’ job scope, or not related to the business of the employer. These may include:
- Campaigns such as on climate change
- Religious rituals
- Donation drives
- Team bonding activities can generally be considered work-related in view of their intent to help the team work better together. Therefore, they will not be covered by the additional guidelines which are specific to non-work-related activities.