New research from Brightmine, a leading global HR and data insights provider, suggests the growing use of artificial intelligence is contributing to a rise in longer and more complex workplace grievances.
Key figures
87% of organisations have seen an increase in grievances written with AI assistance in the past year.
94% do not currently have guidance on appropriate AI use when submitting a grievance.
71% say grievances are taking longer to resolve.
Key takeaways
- Employers are urged to set clearer expectations for appropriate AI use in grievance processes.
- Line managers need support to resolve concerns earlier and more informally.
- More detailed complaints do not necessarily provide greater clarity.
London, under embargo until 30th October - The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) is contributing to a rise in longer and more complex workplace grievances, according to new research released today by Brightmine, a leading global HR and data insights provider.
The survey of UK HR professionals found that nearly nine in ten organisations (87%) have seen an increase in grievances written with AI assistance in the past year. Of those receiving them, 92% report overly complex or exaggerated submissions, 83% longer complaints and 82% unrealistic expectations about outcomes.
Most common types of grievances being raised
- Relationship with manager (67%)
- Bullying or harassment (52%)
- Relationship with a colleague (49%)
The findings suggest AI is accelerating a broader shift in how workplace concerns are written, managed and escalated. In the last two years, 71% of organisations have experienced an increase in the number of grievances received, alongside marked changes in their form and complexity:
- 88% of organisations have seen an increase in the use of formal or legal language in grievances
- 82% have seen an increase in the level of detail included in formal complaints, while 81% say more issues are now being raised within a single grievance
- Nearly three-quarters (73%) report that the issues being raised have become more complex, while 71% say grievances are taking longer to resolve
Together, these trends are creating a significant administrative burden for HR teams and making it harder to isolate the underlying concern. More detail and legal language do not necessarily bring greater clarity: one in three HR professionals (33%) say the clarity of grievances has decreased over the past two years.
Policy gap
Sheila Attwood, Senior Content Manager at Brightmine, said: “The desire to use AI to draft grievances is completely understandable. It gives employees an opportunity to consolidate their experiences and concerns, reference legal frameworks they believe have been breached and present their complaint more formally, often in the belief that this adds authority and credibility.
“The challenge for employers is that AI can also introduce unnecessary legal complexity and create unrealistic expectations about outcomes and timeframes.
“What is clear from the research is how quickly the gap between employee adoption and workplace policy has developed. Employers should not look to ban AI from the process, but they do need to provide clearer guidance on its appropriate use, while keeping the underlying workplace concern at the centre of grievance conversations.”
“Employers should not look to ban AI from the process.”
Sheila Attwood, Brightmine
Most organisations have yet to respond formally to this shift: 94% do not currently have guidelines or expectations in place governing the appropriate use of AI when submitting a grievance. The policy gap is compounded by limited capacity for early resolution. Although 66% of HR professionals say employees tend to raise formal grievances rather than address concerns informally first, just 36% believe line managers have the skills required to handle grievances informally. Only 11% believe recent technological changes have had a positive overall impact on the grievance process.
With AI-assisted complaints becoming more common, employers need to update grievance policies, equip managers to resolve concerns early and set clear expectations for appropriate AI use—before more issues are drawn unnecessarily into lengthy formal processes.
Note to editors
The research surveyed 201 HR professionals, representing over 530,000 employees, from UK organisations and explored trends in workplace grievances, including the impact of artificial intelligence and other technology on how grievances are raised and managed. The research was conducted in July 2026.
