Even the most well-run workplace is not free from employee complaints. It has become inevitable for workplaces and how the management responds to these complaints is very crucial. When do you conduct a legal investigation and when do you do it to provide defence? Investigations of allegations in the workplace should never be taken lightly. Are you prepared for it?
No one will ever be truly ready to handle complaints unless you open your heart to the idea that these things do happen. The first problem among employers is that they deny the fact that their employees may complain no matter how nicely they are treated. Such employee issues should never be regarded as unnecessary. After all, no workplace will ever be efficient when the employees are no longer happy with it. Thus, here is an outline of what you could do to handle complaints:
Step 1: Be ready to listen.
When the employee comes up to you, even when you have so much on your plate and have too many things to handle, you have to be ready to listen. Your initial reaction to the employee complaint will set the stage to how the complaint can be resolved. Be open to talking and do not be in defense mode. Be sincere in handling the situation and treat the complaint seriously.
Step 2: Determine, who is in the best position to manage the claim.
At this point, you might want to talk with your business lawyer. Tell him the details of the complaint and what the employee demands, if there is any. Sometimes, the best person to talk to them is you. But if you don’t want such incident to be a precedent for the many others that may come, choose someone who is in an appropriate position to handle it. Your company lawyer is the best person for the job, and there’s no doubt about that.
Step 3: Listen and respond.
Employee complaints are brought to the employer’s attention for the fundamental reason that these employees want to see something happen. Whether it is a change in the rules and regulations in the workplace or perhaps a little increment in the salary, everything can be discussed. Be ready to listen. Do not be defensive as it will not be good for the negotiations or the business in general.
If you are still not sure what to do, remember to talk to your lawyer about it. How you handle the complaints now can make or break your business; thus, it is important that you treat it with care. Only a business lawyer will be able to help you take care of the complainant, deal with the complaint and still protect the best interest of the firm.