Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

The award, frequently rendered months or, occasionally, a year or so after discharge, directs the employer "to reinstate the grievant with full back pay"—or it may read "Grievance denied. The grievant was justifiably discharged."

In the first instance, the company becomes obligated to pay the grievant a substantial sum of money as back pay without having received anything in return (that is, continued production)—a frequently severe penalty imposed for what may have been a simple misconception about contractual language. Under the second type of award, discharged employees may have had to wait months or more to learn of their fate, during which time they probably were without work (in these times of high unemployment) and without income sufficient to support themselves and their families.