Reporting Workplace Issues in Europe: What to Do First

The procedure of filing a workplace complaint in Europe typically begins by a series of internal steps and concludes by the national regulating bodies and, in a few instances, EU processes. Start by writing facts: names, dates, email, messages, and references to policies. Include a written complaint along with referencing applicable policies (e.g., anti-harassment, health and safety, equal treatment, etc.) and remedy you desire with your employer in the HR department or specific complaints department. Make copies, demand official acknowledgment and note deadlines of the responses provided in your company policy or national law. Where internal resolution is not effective or may result in retaliation, follow protected whistleblowing channels where possible; many countries in the EU implement the EU Whistleblower Directive which provides the means to internally disclose or directly to an effective authority. For more labour rights insights and workplace updates, visit our Labour Rights page.

Secondly, turn to national enforcement agencies on the basis of the problem. In the case of discrimination and harassment, contact your national equality authority, or labour inspectorate; health and safety breach, contact the occupational safety authority; wage theft, working time breach, contact the labour inspectorate or labour court. Get your paperwork, identify the employer, indicate the violation of the law, and request an investigation or enforcement. In case the matter at hand is the use of EU law (such as working time, equal treatment, posted workers) then you can file a complaint with the European Commission with its standard form; the Commission will have the option of determining whether or not to initiate an infringement procedure against the Member State but it will not address individual compensation claims.

In case your complaint is related with maladministration of an EU institution (not with employers of your own), then you may complain to the European Ombudsman by using its online form. In cases of strategic or collective matters of interest to a large number of workers, trade unions and NGOs may assist in submitting collective actions or strategic complaints including under the collective complaints procedure of the European Social Charter. In the process, seek legal counsel of a union or employment attorney, keep all evidence confidential, and do not post sensitive information online in order to save your case and privacy.