Public and Commercial Services Union

If you believe that discrimination has occurred, you will first need to make a complaint using the internal grievance or complaints procedures.

It is important to follow this procedure, as failure to do so may prevent you from taking your claim to an Employment Tribunal at a later date.

Tell your rep

Your PCS rep will have a knowledge of the procedures, and will also be able to tell you where they can be found.

It is important that offensive/abusive/discriminatory behaviour is dealt with quickly.

The sooner a complaint is made verbally and followed up in writing - the more likely you are to win your case.

More importantly, if the behaviour can be stopped quickly, legal action may not be necessary at all.

Using internal procedures

Internal grievance and complaints procedures form part of your contract of employment.

As such, they should be easily accessible. They are usually produced in staff personnel manuals or management guides, or are available on your employer's intranet.

These guides provide specific advice as to how to pursue complaints and important timescales within which each stage of the process must be made.

Make a note of these tirnescales and ensure deadlines are met.