AI-written grievances add new pressure for employers

While this can make complaints appear more serious at first glance, employers are being urged to focus on the underlying issues, rather than the language used. Even though an AI generated grievance may look as though it has been drafted by a legal professional, a thorough investigation may still reveal that the grievance is unfounded.

One common issue is that complaints can sound legally sophisticated while failing to clearly explain what has actually happened. In some cases, the wording may exaggerate the significance of relatively straightforward workplace concerns. In others, important details may be missing, inconsistent or unclear, despite the confident tone of the document.

As a result, employers can find themselves spending time responding to the language of a complaint rather than addressing the substance of the issue itself.

The best approach remains the simplest: identify the core concern, investigate the facts and follow established grievance procedures. If a complaint is unclear, the employer is entitled to ask for clarification.

The issue comes at a time when employers are already dealing with significant changes to employment law.  Under the changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act, employees will be able to bring unfair dismissal claims much earlier in their employment, with the window narrowing to a six-month qualifying period from January 2027.

For smaller businesses, in particular, this is likely to increase the importance of how grievances and workplace concerns are handled. Some employers may be tempted to use AI themselves to respond to grievances, but technology must never be used to assess whether a grievance is justified – the investigation, and the decision, must come from a human being.

*Mullis & Peake is not responsible for any external links.

As employees gain access to employment rights earlier in their employment, employers will need robust processes in place from day one.  That includes training managers, documenting decisions carefully and ensuring grievance procedures are followed consistently,

Whilst employees may be increasingly turning to AI to draft their grievances, use of that technology by employers could lead to unfair and inconsistent outcomes.

Instead of turning to AI, consulting an expert employment solicitor is far more likely to protect your position as an employer.

Esther Marshall

Member