The HCSA Grievance Mechanism sets out the process to ensure a timely, independent and effective resolution of complaints against HCSA members for allegations of breaches of the HCSA Code of Conduct or the application of the HCSA methodology.

It exists to escalate concerns that cannot be resolved between the relevant parties, or when the resolution proposed by the HCSA member is not recognised as a mutually agreed outcome by the affected parties.

It was developed to be in line with the UN Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights, such as being accessible, predictable, equitable and transparent providing for continuous learning and dialogue and ‘rights-compliant’, meaning it should ensure outcomes and remedies accord with internationally recognised human rights.

It is intended to enable rapid escalation of the grievance with HCSA members in a way that: addresses problems; reaches agreement on procedures to resolve the grievance including via the organisation’s or company’s own mechanisms or relevant judicial mechanisms; or avoids grievances escalating and becoming conflictual.