Grievance Review Procedure

Cali Dumpling is committed to maintaining transparent, respectful, and responsible relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, business partners, and community stakeholders.

This grievance procedure provides a process for raising concerns and ensuring they are reviewed fairly and consistently.

1. Grounds for Accepting a Grievance

Cali Dumpling will review grievances or concerns related to:

  • workplace conduct or treatment

  • discrimination, harassment, or retaliation

  • food safety or product quality

  • environmental or community impacts

  • ethical concerns or misconduct

  • supplier or vendor practices

  • violations of company policies

  • legal or regulatory compliance concerns

  • customer service or operational issues

  • other business-related stakeholder concerns

Anonymous submissions may be accepted when sufficient information is provided to allow review.

Cali Dumpling reserves the right to decline grievances that:

  • are knowingly false or misleading

  • contain abusive or threatening language

  • are unrelated to company operations or stakeholder impacts

  • do not provide enough information to reasonably assess the concern

2. Grievance Process & Targeted Timelines

Step 1 — Submission

Stakeholders may submit concerns through:

  • the online grievance form

  • designated company email channels

  • direct communication with company representatives

  • customer service or operational contacts

Step 2 — Acknowledgement

Cali Dumpling will aim to acknowledge receipt of a grievance within:

  • 5 business days

Step 3 — Initial Review

The company will conduct an initial review to:

  • determine whether the grievance falls within scope

  • identify any immediate risks or urgent concerns

  • determine appropriate internal personnel for review

Target timeline:

  • within 10 business days of receipt

Step 4 — Investigation & Assessment

Where appropriate, Cali Dumpling may:

  • gather additional information

  • conduct internal discussions or interviews

  • review operational records or policies

  • involve external advisors or specialists

Timeline may vary depending on the complexity of the concern.

Step 5 — Resolution & Response

Cali Dumpling will aim to communicate outcomes or next steps within:

  • 30 business days when reasonably possible

If additional time is needed, the company may provide an update regarding status and expected next steps.

3. Resolution Process

Cali Dumpling seeks to resolve grievances through fair, respectful, and practical solutions appropriate to the concern raised.

Potential resolutions may include:

  • clarification or communication

  • corrective actions

  • operational improvements

  • policy or training updates

  • mediation or facilitated discussion

  • supplier or partner engagement

  • referral to appropriate authorities where required

Cali Dumpling prohibits retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.

All grievance records will be maintained confidentially to the extent reasonably possible and in accordance with applicable laws and company practices.

Protection Against Retaliation

Cali Dumpling is committed to ensuring that stakeholders can raise concerns, grievances, or complaints without fear of retaliation, intimidation, discrimination, harassment, or adverse consequences.

The company prohibits any form of retaliation against individuals who submit a grievance, participate in an investigation, provide information in good faith, or support another individual in raising a concern.

This protection applies to:

  • employees

  • suppliers

  • contractors

  • customers

  • distributors

  • food service partners

  • community stakeholders

  • other business partners

Examples of prohibited retaliation may include:

  • termination or loss of work opportunities

  • demotion or disciplinary action

  • threats or intimidation

  • harassment or exclusion

  • discrimination or unfair treatment

  • withholding business opportunities or services

  • negative changes in working conditions

  • verbal or written retaliation

Processes & Controls

To support protection against retaliation, Cali Dumpling maintains the following controls:

  • confidential reporting channels where reasonably possible

  • optional anonymous submissions

  • limited access to grievance information on a need-to-know basis

  • review of grievances by appropriate leadership personnel

  • documentation and tracking of grievance handling

  • monitoring for potential retaliatory behavior during and after review processes

  • corrective action where retaliation is identified

  • ongoing leadership oversight of grievance management practices

Stakeholders who believe they have experienced retaliation related to a grievance or investigation are encouraged to report the concern immediately through the grievance reporting channels.

Cali Dumpling will review allegations of retaliation promptly and may take corrective or disciplinary action where appropriate.

Communication & Resolution Process

Cali Dumpling is committed to maintaining clear and respectful communication throughout the grievance review process.

Where contact information is provided, the company will aim to:

  • acknowledge receipt of the grievance

  • communicate major steps in the review process

  • provide status updates when appropriate

  • notify the complainant of the outcome or resolution

  • confirm when the grievance has been closed or resolved

Communication timelines may vary depending on the complexity, sensitivity, or scope of the concern. If additional time is needed, Cali Dumpling may provide updates regarding expected next steps or revised timelines.

Accepted Grievances

If a grievance is accepted for review, the complainant may receive updates regarding:

  • confirmation that the grievance falls within scope

  • review or investigation progress

  • requests for additional information

  • corrective actions or next steps where appropriate

  • final resolution status

Non-Accepted Grievances

If Cali Dumpling determines that a submission does not qualify as a grievance under this procedure, the company will aim to explain:

  • why the issue was not accepted

  • whether insufficient information was provided

  • whether the concern falls outside the company’s grievance scope

  • whether another reporting or communication channel may be more appropriate

Resolution Confirmation

When reasonably possible, Cali Dumpling will communicate when:

  • a grievance has been resolved

  • corrective actions have been completed

  • no further action is planned

  • the matter has been formally closed

Records of grievance communications and outcomes may be documented internally as part of the company’s accountability and continuous improvement practices.

Grievance & Concern Form