Definition of grievance

The word "grievance" originated in Middle English around the 14th century. At that time, it had the meaning of "something that causes distress or annoyance." The root of the word is the Old French word "grever" meaning "to grieve" or "to afflict." In French, this word evolved into "grivaunce," which was used to describe a legal complaint or disagreement. In English, "grievance" became associated with legal disputes, specifically in relation to the concept of common law. During the Middle Ages, common law was based on precedent, and disputes were resolved based on the previous rulings of similar cases. If a person felt that a wrong had been committed against them, they could bring forth a "grievance" in court, which was essentially a plea that the court should find in favor of their argument. Over time, the meaning of the word "grievance" has evolved to include any complaint or dissatisfaction, not just legal disputes. Today, the term is commonly used in relation to workplace disputes, where an employee may have a "grievance" about their working conditions, treatment, or pay. In these contexts, the term is often used interchangeably with the words "complaint" and "issue." However, in legal contexts, there is still a distinction between a "grievance" and a "complaint," as the former refers specifically to a request for specific relief, while the latter is a more general term that encompasses any complaint.