As provided in the employment dispute resolution statutes (Va. Code
§§ 2.2-1000-1001; 3000-3008), the Commonwealth’s policy, as an employer, is to
encourage the resolution of employee problems and complaints through training, consultation,
mediation, and the grievance procedure. The Department of Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) is the
state agency responsible for administering these programs.
The grievance procedure is a formal process through which most employees may seek resolution of a
workplace dispute or concern. An employee initiates a grievance by completing the Grievance Form A
("Form A") and submitting it to his or her immediate supervisor. The grievance can be
initiated with a higher level supervisor if (i) the grievance alleges retaliation or discrimination
by the immediate supervisor, (ii) the employee elects the expedited process, or (iii) the grievance
challenges a disciplinary action initiated by someone other than the employee’s immediate
supervisor. The grievance then advances through the management resolution steps of the process.
The Grievance Procedure Manual lists the specific issues that qualify for hearing. Any issue not
qualified by the agency head, the EDR Director, or the Circuit Court cannot be remedied through a
hearing. Qualification determinations identify the issues to be resolved but do not determine the
ultimate merits of the grievance.
