What Issues Can Be Grieved for Virginia Public Employees?
Not all employment issues are eligible for a grievance hearing. According to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3004 and the Grievance Procedure Manual, employees can file a grievance for issues such as:
- Formal disciplinary actions like written notices or reprimands,
- Dismissal for unsatisfactory performance or misconduct,
- Demotion or suspension,
- Discriminatory treatment based on race, color, religion, political affiliation, national origin, disability, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a veteran,
- Retaliation for using the grievance process or reporting misconduct, and
- Misapplication of policies or unfair application of workplace rules.
These categories offer protection against a range of adverse employment actions, giving employees a pathway to address disputes when they feel they’ve been treated unfairly or unlawfully.