Grievance

A grievance is a real or imagined wrong or other cause for complaint or protest, especially unfair treatment. It involves a feeling of resentment over something believed to be unjust. Grievances are often expressed formally, such as through a written complaint, or informally, through personal conversations or demonstrations. Addressing grievances is crucial for conflict resolution, maintaining fairness, and fostering positive relationships. The core of a grievance lies in the perception of being harmed or disadvantaged in some way.

Grievance meaning with examples

• The employees filed a formal grievance with the human resources department, citing unfair wage practices and unsafe working conditions. Their grievance detailed specific instances where they felt they were being treated inequitably and requested a review of the company's policies to address their concerns. This collective action was meant to trigger negotiations for better employment terms.
• After the neighborhood association's request for a new park was rejected, several residents voiced their grievance at a town hall meeting. They argued that the lack of green space disproportionately affected the children and elderly in their area. Their grievance was about perceived neglect from local authorities concerning the wellbeing of their community members.
• The customer expressed a strong grievance regarding the faulty product they had purchased. They described their frustration with the product's defects and the difficulty they had in obtaining a refund. The business’s unsatisfactory customer service further aggravated their grievance, which caused the customer to complain online and spread their negative experience.
• Throughout the history of the civil rights movement, numerous grievances were voiced by marginalized communities. These grievances encompassed a wide array of social, political, and economic inequalities, including racial discrimination. Activists demanded justice, equal rights, and an end to the injustices through protests and systemic reform.