Grievance Processes: Research, Rhetoric and Directions for New Zealand

Abstract

Individual-level conflict is a central aspect of contemporary employment relations. The literature is somewhat fragmented, focusing on certain aspects of grievances and dominated by North American writing. The implications for New Zealand are explored and compared with local research which has been driven largely by policy and operational needs. At a time when political debate over grievance laws is once again intensifying, three main areas emerge as priorities for future New Zealand research: a focus on the decision-making processes of employers and employees; what happens in the early stages of within-company resolution; and the merits of alternative dispute resolution procedures.