What does "exhausting administrative remedies" mean in the context of employment law?

The phrase "exhausting administrative remedies" in employment law refers to the requirement that employees must follow and complete all available internal complaint or grievance procedures before pursuing litigation in a court of law. This is significant as it allows employers the opportunity to address and rectify employee grievances internally, which can lead to resolution without the need for formal legal action. This process typically includes filing complaints with human resources or adhering to specific company protocols designed to handle such issues.

Understanding this concept is crucial because failing to exhaust these administrative remedies can result in a court dismissing a case, as the legal system often encourages resolution through internal channels first. Therefore, the correct option aligns with this requirement of completing the internal complaint process before escalating the matter to litigation.