Disputes & Grievances
Log, manage, and resolve workplace grievances and disputes - with a path to escalate to the Fair Work Commission where required.
Overview
The Disputes module gives you a structured, confidential place to:
- Record workplace grievances and disputes as cases
- Track each case from when it's raised through to resolution
- Keep notes, correspondence, and documents together
- Maintain a defensible record of how each matter was handled
Disputes Dashboard
Open Disputes in the sidebar to see:
- Open cases and their current stage
- Cases that are overdue or need attention
- Cases escalated to the FWC
- Recently resolved matters
Cases
Raising a Case
- Enter the case details:
- Title / subject
- Type (grievance, dispute, complaint, etc.)
- Date raised
- A description of the matter
- Save the case
Case Detail
Each case keeps everything about the matter in one place:
Case Status
Move a case through its lifecycle as it progresses - for example:
Overdue cases are flagged on the dashboard so nothing slips.
Fair Work Commission (FWC) Escalation
When an internal process can't resolve a matter, a case can be escalated to the Fair Work Commission:
- Open the case
- Mark it as escalated to the FWC and record the relevant details (e.g. lodgement reference, key dates)
- Continue to track correspondence and hearing outcomes against the same case
Keeping the FWC matter linked to the original case preserves the full history - from how the grievance was first raised, through every internal step, to the external outcome.
Settings
Under Disputes > Settings you can configure how the module works for your business - such as the case types and stages that match your grievance and dispute policies.
Confidentiality
Grievances are sensitive. Access to dispute cases is controlled by permissions, so only the people who need to handle a matter can see it. Set up the relevant roles under Admin → Roles - see the Administration guide.
Troubleshooting
A colleague can't see a dispute case I expect them to see
Access to dispute cases is controlled by permissions, so only people whose role grants it can open a case. Check the relevant role under Admin → Roles - see the Administration guide - and confirm the person is assigned a role with dispute access.
A case keeps showing as overdue on the dashboard
Overdue cases are flagged so they don't go stale. Open the case and move it along its lifecycle - update the status (Open, In Progress, Escalated, or Resolved) and add a timeline note - so it reflects where the matter actually is.
The case type or stage I need isn't available
Case types and stages are configured under Disputes > Settings to match your grievance and dispute policies. Add or adjust the type or stage there, then it'll be selectable when you raise or update a case.
I can't link the right person to a case
The person(s) involved are drawn from your employee records. If someone is missing, make sure they exist in People Management first (see the People Management guide), then add them to the case.
Our FWC matter has lost its earlier history
Escalating to the Fair Work Commission should be done on the existing case, not a new one. Open the original case, mark it as Escalated to the FWC, and record the lodgement reference and key dates there so the full history - from how the grievance was first raised through to the external outcome - stays in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Are dispute cases confidential?
Yes. Grievances are sensitive, so access is restricted by permissions - only the people who need to handle a matter can see it. Set up the relevant roles under Admin → Roles.
How do I escalate a case to the Fair Work Commission?
Open the case, mark it as escalated to the FWC, and record the lodgement reference and key dates. Keep tracking correspondence and hearing outcomes against the same case so nothing is lost.
Where do I record the resolution of a case?
Each case has an Outcome field for the resolution and any agreed actions, alongside the timeline and notes. Update the status to Resolved once it's closed.
Can I attach emails and evidence to a case?
Yes - use the Documents area on the case to attach related correspondence and evidence rather than leaving it in email. See the Documents & Signatures guide for how documents work across Mployr.
How do I keep track of what's been done on a case?
The Timeline keeps a running record of actions, meetings, and decisions, and you can add Notes as the matter progresses. Together they form your evidence of a fair process.
Tips
- Record cases as soon as a grievance is raised, even if it may resolve quickly - a contemporaneous record matters
- Keep the timeline factual and up to date; it's your evidence of a fair process
- Use the status to keep momentum and avoid cases going stale
- Attach all correspondence to the case rather than leaving it in email
- Restrict access to dispute cases to the people who genuinely need it