Overview
Who needs this?
- Employees dismissed without notice or proper procedure
- Workers owed salary, overtime, festival bonus or provident fund contributions
- Staff facing harassment or unsafe working conditions
- Employers responding to a complaint or a collective dispute
Requirements
You should be able to say yes to each of these before you start.
- An employment relationship exists, whether or not there is a written contract
- The complaint relates to rights under the Labour Act, employment contract or bylaws
- The complaint is filed within the time limit, usually within a few months of the incident
- For collective disputes, the claim is backed by the required proportion of workers
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Stage 1 of 5 · Grievance
- 1Grievance
- 2Complaint
- 3Conciliation
- 4Decision
- 5Enforcement
I'm at this stage:
What typically comes next: Complaint — usually the step “File the complaint at the Labour Office” below.Jump to the steps
Step-by-step procedure
- 1
Step 1
7–15 daysRaise the issue internally
Put your grievance in writing to the employer or the grievance committee if one exists. The Labour Act expects an internal attempt first, and the letter becomes evidence later.
Employer / workplace grievance committee
Tip: Keep a copy of every letter and note the date you delivered it.
- 2
Step 2
1–3 daysFile the complaint at the Labour Office
Submit the written complaint with your employment proof and evidence at the Labour Office covering your workplace. The office registers it and notifies the employer.
Labour Office
- 3
Step 3
2–4 weeksConciliation meeting
A labour officer calls both sides to a meeting and tries to broker a settlement, such as reinstatement or payment of dues. Agreements reached here are recorded and binding.
Labour Office
Tip: Bring a clear calculation of what you are owed; officers respond well to precise figures.
- 4
Step 4
1–2 monthsDecision by the Labour Office
If conciliation fails, the office investigates and issues a decision on wages, reinstatement or compensation. The employer may be ordered to pay within a set period.
Labour Office / Department of Labour
- 5
Step 5
3–9 monthsAppeal to the Labour Court
Either party can appeal the decision to the Labour Court within the appeal period. The court reviews the record and may hold a hearing before confirming or changing the decision.
Labour Court
- 6
Step 6
1–3 monthsEnforcement of the order
If the employer does not comply, the Labour Office can impose fines and the order can be executed like a court judgment. Keep the office informed of any non-payment.
Labour Office
Documents required
Tick items off as you gather them.
0 of 7 ready · 4 required
Estimated cost
| Item | Typical range (NPR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | Rs. 0 – 1,000 | Complaints at the Labour Office carry no or minimal fees; Labour Court appeals have a small filing fee. |
| Professional fee | Rs. 8,000 – 50,000 | Advice and representation at conciliation and, if needed, the Labour Court. |
| Other expenses | Rs. 1,000 – 8,000 | Copies, notarisation and travel to hearings. |
| Indicative total | Rs. 9,000 – 59,000 | Sum of the ranges above. |
Estimated timeline
1–9 months
Typical end-to-end duration once your documents are ready. Conciliation often settles matters within a month or two.
Relevant laws
The provisions each stage of this procedure rests on.
Frequently asked questions
Related services
Need a hand?
Talk to a Legal Advisor about employment complaint
A 30-minute consultation is usually enough to confirm your documents, spot the step most likely to delay you and agree a plan.