imagine this: an employee grievance lands in your inbox. It’s pages long, full of references to employment law, and written in an oddly formal tone. It almost reads like something out of a textbook. Then, when you ask the employee to meet and discuss it, they decline – insisting that everything be dealt with in writing.

If this sounds familiar, you might be facing a “GIT” – a grievance invented by technology. At Vista, we’re hearing about a growing number of these AI-generated grievances across large employers, where staff use tools like ChatGPT or Copilot to draft formal complaints.

And it’s not just employees using AI. In some cases, we’ve seen managers rely on similar tools when preparing outcome letters, creating new risks for organisations trying to maintain fairness and consistency.

A growing trend for HR teams

The grievances that raise suspicion often follow a clear pattern:

• They’re unusually polished, detailed, and lengthy.
• They appear during disciplinary or performance management processes.
• The employee prefers written correspondence to face-to-face discussions.
• These are strong indicators that AI may have played a part.

Why this is a concern for HR leaders

For HR teams managing large, complex workforces, AI-generated grievances create new challenges. They can:

• Inflate relatively minor issues into serious-sounding claims.
• AI makes it easy to generate a lengthy complaint in seconds, so more employees may choose to lodge formal grievances.
• Slow down existing processes, especially if a grievance lands mid-investigation.
• Make it harder to determine what’s genuine and what’s been “enhanced” by AI.
• Add significant administrative burden to already stretched HR teams.

Even if the content feels artificial, you still have a duty to treat the grievance as genuine until proven otherwise. That means careful investigation, documentation, and a proportionate response.

Signs a grievance might have been AI-written

While no tool is foolproof, some clues can help you spot AI-generated content:

• Americanised spelling or grammar (“organization”, “behavior”, “favoritism”).
• Unusually formal tone or unfamiliar writing style.
• Vague claims with little reference to personal experience.
• Overuse of transitions like “in conclusion” or “as mentioned previously”.
• Repetition or rephrasing of the same point multiple times.

If something feels inconsistent or out of character, it’s worth investigating further.

Managing AI-driven grievances effectively

To reduce disruption and maintain control:

Trust your judgement. If it doesn’t read right, check using an AI-detection tool or seek expert input.

Compare writing styles. Review the employee’s prior communications to see if the tone aligns.

Update your grievance policy. Require at least one meeting (in person or virtual) so you can properly explore the issue.

Train your managers. Make sure they know how to handle complex grievances confidently and lawfully.

Building capability with Vista

As the line between human and AI-generated communication blurs, effective manager training has never been more important.

Vista specialises in HR and management training for large organisations, helping teams:

• Handle grievances and investigations fairly and consistently.
• Build practical confidence in difficult conversations.
• Understand how AI could influence employee communications.
• Strengthen leadership capability and compliance.

Our blended learning approach ensures the support doesn’t end after the training session finishes. We provide ongoing learning through eLearning, training videos and continued development opportunities.

If you’d like to explore how Vista can support your teams confidently manage AI-drafted grievances, make an enquiry today or call us on the number 0330 053 9345.