Where can I get help?

Health and safety problems can sometimes be resolved by discussing the issue with your line manager or safety rep. But often nothing changes. If you want to take matters further with your employer, these are your options:

• Take out a grievance. If your line manager fails to resolve the problem, use your employer's internal grievance procedure.
• You have the right to be accompanied by a companion of your choice. This can be a union representative, irrespective of whether a union is formally 'recognised' by your employer, or a fellow worker.
• Prepare your case. Get your evidence together. You could use a diary, evidence from your GP, or advice from your union representative.
• Ask for union support. Unions can help with:
  • informal, confidential advice;
  • representation at meetings with managers;
  • guidance on specific rights at work; and
  • access to union health and safety, and legal services.
• If you suffer from a disability, or if English is not your first language, you can ask your employer to adapt the right to a companion to extend, for example, to a translator, or your disability support worker.  If you are, for example, a young worker, you may be able to persuade your employer to allow you to be accompanied by a family member, such as a parent, although your employer does not have to agree to this.