Public Sector Grievances: The Case of North Dakota

Abstract

This article analyzes all employee grievances filed by state workers In North Dakota for a period exceeding four years. The conclusions differ from much of the literature concerning the public employee grievance process. In contrast to other studies, this population of grievants contains very few complaints containing allegations of discrimination. Female workers file a disproportionately low number of grievances, and the appeals body exhibits a decidedly pro-employer bias in grievance outcomes. Finally, there is little evidence that workers who file grievances later experience difficulties with their supervisors, as reflected in performance evaluation results.